Many people don’t realize how essential the gums are to the appearance of their smiles. Some patients have too much gum tissue covering their teeth, resulting in a “gummy smile.” Another cause for a gummy smile could be teeth that have worn down, making them appear short or flat. A gum lift and crown lengthening in our Plano, TX office can treat a gummy smile for a balanced look.
Periodontist Dr. Bradley Dean focuses on aesthetics and health during gum treatments. Periodontal treatments combine these aspects of care to restore the function and appearance of the smile.
What is a Gum Lift and Crown Lengthening?
Correcting a “gummy smile” is considered a cosmetic procedure. Gummy smile treatment benefits patients who are unhappy with the appearance of small teeth and excess gum tissue.
A crown lengthening procedure is a non-cosmetic treatment. This treatment helps improve gum function.
Sometimes, dentists perform crown lengthening to prepare a tooth for a dental crown. Crown lengthening is beneficial if a tooth breaks off at the gum line or a filling falls out with decay underneath. A dentist must expose more of the tooth to fix these problems.
A gum lift is a cosmetic procedure that remodels the gums to remove excess gum tissue and expose more teeth. Sometimes, we must remove some of the underlying bone to help reveal more of the tooth. Dr. Dean will do this relatively simple and common surgical procedure at his Plano, TX, periodontist office.
Dr. D Bradley Dean is a periodontist in Plano, TX. He offers treatment options to improve the appearance of patients’ smiles and restore their mouths to proper health and balance.
The Gum Lift and Crown Lengthening Process in Plano, TX
If you have excess gum tissue and need professional care, you must first schedule a consultation with Dr. Dean. He will examine your oral health, medical history, and X-rays. Dr. Dean may recommend that you get your teeth cleaned before the procedure.
Your next appointment is your surgery. Dr. Dean will use local anesthesia for your comfort. The time your surgery takes will depend on how many teeth you will have treated. Even if Dr. Dean only treats one tooth, he will also treat the adjacent teeth.
That way, the gums are reshaped gradually. Surgery will take longer if Dr. Dean removes the tissue and bone.
Dr. Dean will make a small incision around the soft tissue to separate the gums from the teeth. This cut will give him access to the roots and bone.
Sometimes, Dr. Dean only needs to cut away a small amount of tissue to provide enough tooth exposure. Other times, he may need to remove a small amount of bone. After the procedure, your teeth will appear instantly longer.
If you have tooth wear due to teeth grinding or other dental problems, Dr. Dean can work with your general dentist for treatment. He may recommend restorations such as veneers, dental crowns, or tooth bonding. These treatments can change tooth length and improve tooth symmetry.
Post Treatment Care
Dr. Dean believes constant patient communication is essential to achieving the best results. We will listen to and address your concerns, prioritizing your comfort and well-being throughout your treatment.
Patients may experience sensitivity following their gum surgery. We recommend sticking to soft foods for the first few days. Patients should be especially gentle when brushing and flossing teeth. If you experience swelling, bleeding, or severe pain, contact our Plano, TX office.
Gum Lift and Crown Lengthening FAQs
Learn more about gum lift and crown lengthening in our Plano office with answers to these common questions:
How long does it take for gums to heal after crown lengthening?
The stitches will last for about 7 to 10 days. After this time, the stitches will fall out, or we will remove them. The next step is for the gums to heal, which takes around 3 months. It’s crucial to hold off on any additional work until the gums have fully recovered.
How painful is crown lengthening recovery?
Post-operative pain will go away within a week, although some patients report sensitivity to heat and cold in the weeks following the procedure. The sensitivity to heat and cold will gradually disappear. However, some claim that this sensation lasts until a prosthesis is in place.
What food can I have after crown lengthening?
Continue eating soft foods and chewing away from the surgical site. Chew on the side opposite your surgery and only consume things soft enough to cut with a fork. Also, patients should never bite directly into something if they have had crown lengthening on their front teeth.
Is sensitivity common after crown lengthening?
Slight sensitivity after a crown lengthening procedure is normal. As your gums heal, the sensitivity will dissipate. Patients most commonly experience sensitivity when drinking hot or cold beverages. Temperature impacts your gums heavily during the first few days after a lengthening procedure.
Do you get stitches after crown lengthening?
You’ll have dissolvable sutures, which will dissolve naturally after 4 to 6 days. You may also have silk sutures, which we’ll remove when we see you in our office again.
The tissue in the surgical area will be painful for a few days. However, you must keep the area clean.
What do gums look like after crown lengthening?
Within the first few days, the gums may seem red from inflammation. However, this is a normal stage of the healing process. Some bleeding could occur in the first few hours after your crown lengthening operation. Still, you should remember to call our office if the bleeding continues or worsens.
Contact Our Office
Are you ready to improve your gum health? Call for gum treatment today at (972) 666-1594. You can also schedule an appointment online to plan a gum lift or crown lengthening procedure with Dr. Dean in Plano, TX.
If you have questions about our gum treatments, please let us know at your next visit.