Crown lengthening in dentistry is a surgical procedure in which gum tissue and/or bone is removed to expose more of the natural tooth. It's done for therapeutic and sometimes cosmetic reasons, & it can increase your oral health and comfort.
Your Sartell dentist might recommend a crown lengthening treatment before repairing a damaged tooth. This is because the tooth might not have sufficient crown height to support an artificial restoration (a filling or dental crown). In addition, if there's severe decay or a broken tooth beneath the gum line, a crown could be at risk of falling off if there isn't enough tooth structure to firmly attach to.
Another common reason for a crown lengthening treatment is to alter a "gummy smile." This condition appears when there's too much gum tissue showing around the upper teeth, causing them to look short and juvenile. Crown lengthening reshapes the gum tissue and exposes more of the natural tooth, making the smile appear more attractive.
Aside from the cosmetic benefits, a crown lengthening procedure might be recommended to prepare the tooth for other restorative treatments or for a dental implant. The dentist may also recommend it for people who are prone to periodontal disease, as it might help them control their symptoms. Before recommending a crown lengthening procedure, the dentist will perform an exam to check the clinical status of the patient's teeth & take any necessary x-rays. If there are signs of a problem, the dentist might refer the patient to a gum specialist called a periodontist for further evaluation.