Crown lengthening is a dental procedure that recontours your gums and reduces bone levels to show more tooth surface. The tooth’s bone level may need to be adjusted to expose more of the tooth’s surface so a new crown can be put in place.
Crown lengthening is recommended for teeth that are too short, for serious tooth decay below the gum line, and for a tooth that is broken or fractured below the gum line.
Whether you are looking for a smile makeover or have a specific dental condition you’d like to treat, Pine Desert Dental can offer you a crown lengthening procedure fitted to your needs.
If you’d like a consultation for any of our periodontal services, contact the Pine Desert Dental team or visit our clinic in Sisters, Oregon.
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover a worn-out or broken tooth. It aims to protect and restore the tooth’s shape, size, and strength. The dental crown is cemented into place and guards the visible area up to the gum line.
The crown attachment won’t remain stable if enough tooth surface isn’t available. A crown lengthening reduces gum tissue and bone levels enabling more tooth surfaces to show, thus allowing the eventual crown to fit properly.
Crown lengthening can help treat multiple dental conditions, including:
During your consultation, Dr. Sunitsch will discuss the periodontic treatments that can help your case.
He will review your medical history and condition and then examine your teeth. He may take X-rays to identify any other related dental issues.
He'll schedule your next appointment if you decide crown lengthening is your best option. Dr. Sunitsch will fit you with a temporary dental crown to protect your teeth until the procedure is completed.
Crown lengthening is a standard procedure usually performed in an hour. Patients who undergo this treatment can go home right afterward.
During a crown lengthening procedure, Dr. Sunitsch will cut your gums and pull them away from your teeth, exposing the bone and needed tooth surface. Bone will then be removed around the tooth.
Once the area has been carefully washed with salt water and disinfected, he will suture the gums back into place. Dr. Sunitsch may place a bandage over the area for protection.
Dr. Sunitsch may apply a topical antibiotic after the treatment to eliminate the risk of infection.
Depending on the state of your case and your response, Dr. Sunitsch may prescribe antibiotics. If Dr. Sunitsch prescribes antibiotics, take the entire course of treatment.
A crown lengthening could cause discomfort, so your dentist will numb your gums before the procedure. If you’d like to be completely comfortable during your treatment, Dr. Sunitsch may recommend some of our sedation dentistry options.
Once the anesthesia effects wear off, you may feel some pain. We recommend talking with your dentist about a prescription for pain relievers.
The recovery process after crown lengthening may take up to three months, but patients usually return to their routines after a few days. To reduce the discomfort after your procedure, we recommend doing the following:
Complications after a crown lengthening procedure are rare. However, if you show any of these symptoms, we recommend reaching out to your dentist:
Pine Desert Dental offers crown lengthening procedures to help patients who want a smile makeover or treatment for dental conditions.
Dr. Zach Sunitsch and the Pine Desert Dental team can handle all your dental needs. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Oregon Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
We offer comprehensive dental services, including periodontal treatment.
If you’d like more information, call us at (541) 549-01-09 or request an appointment online. You can also visit us at our clinic in Sisters, Oregon.
