Crown lengthening is a surgery that will expose more of the crown and may help certain procedures that are meant to save the tooth from extraction. The procedure involves surgery and removing gingival tissue from around the tooth. It may be performed by a dentist, dental surgeon or a periodontist.
Crown Lengthening Procedure
Crown lengthening can be performed as an outpatient surgery. However, prior to the surgery, x-rays should be taken, which will help the surgeon establish the best course of the procedure. Teeth cleaning or other procedures, such as placing caps, may be required prior to the actual surgery.
Local anesthesia is used and the surgeon will make an incision and remove soft tissue. If need be, he will also remove some bone. Several cuts may be needed to uncover more of the tooth. After the surgeon has finished removing the tissue and bone matter, the area will cleaned and sterilized and then it will be stitched.
The entire procedure may take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of teeth that are treated and the amount of tissue or bone that should be removed. If there is a need for additional procedures, such as an endodontic surgery, this may be performed in conjunction with the crown lengthening.
Healing Time
The surgery wounds should heal within a few weeks. However, the entire area may require up to two months of recovery time. A temporary crown may be placed on the tooth to protect it.
