What is dental crown lengthening?

Dental crownSimple crown procedure utilizing a porcelain crown fused to non-precious metal and not involving complicated prep. lengthening - what is it for?

Crowns are caps that are fitted onto your teeth to repair them. Crowns are needed if you have cracked, broken or decayed teeth and restore the tooth so that you can chew and drink again without any pain occurring. The process is usually very straightforward however sometimes patients may require dental crown lengthening so that the treatment is successful.

Crown lengthening is required if there is not enough tooth left for the crown to be properly fixed. The dentist will lengthen the gum tissue to expose a greater amount of the tooth’s surface so that the crown can be attached. In some cases, people choose to do this as they may want to alter their smile if they think it is ‘gummy’. 

This procedure is common and can be done in less than an hour. Once complete the dentist will then continue with the dental crown treatment as normal by getting an impression of your tooth and having a personalised crown made, that will be fitted in your second session. In the interim, a temporary crown will be fitted to protect your tooth and allow you to live normally until the permanent crown arrives. The treatment is painless but if you feel any discomfort let you dentist know. A patient’s crown will feel odd in the days after the treatment, but this is to be expected. 

If you are worried about crown lengthening or if you have any questions about the treatment, please ask your dentist at your next appointment. 

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