A bright smile can be so important for a person’s confidence. It can be the difference between walking into a room with a smile or sheepishly hiding your pearly whites. So it’s no surprise that having short teeth make people feel uneasy about themselves. Fortunately, there is something you can do to remedy the issue of short teeth. This guide will explain everything you need to know about crown lengthening for short teeth.

What is Crown Lengthening?

It is a procedure that involves removing gum tissue, and in some cases bone, to increase the visible amount of tooth on display.  It can be performed on either one tooth, several teeth and even the entire gum line. The process is relatively routine, however it is still delicate and the dentist will be very careful to ensure that there is enough gum left to maintain good oral health.

Why Get Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a procedure done for a couple of reasons. Structurally, it can be performed to improve the health of the gums or prepare for a crown. However, it can also be done for aesthetic reasons to correct a “gummy smile”

 

A gummy smile or excessive gingival display is a condition where the patient has more than 3mm of the gum exposed. While not overly serious, it can make people feel self-conscious and unconfident about their smile.

 

A dentist may also recommend a crown lengthening to:

• expose cavities beneath the gum line
• expose fractured areas of tooth 
• expose more tooth structure before they can perform procedures like a bridge or crown.

 

To learn more about Cosmetic Dentistry Dakota, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

 

The Crown Lengthening Procedure

There are different methods your dentist may opt for when performing the procedure. The method they end up going with will be determined based on a number of conditions like the cause of the excess gums and the mouth conditions.

To learn more about Crown Lengthening in rapid city, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Gingivectomy

Perhaps the most common method, a gingivectomy involves removing the gum tissue. It is done under local anesthetic and can be done with a scalpel, lazers of a heated electrical instrument (electrocautery).

To learn more about Gingivectomy in Rapid City, check out Dakota Regional Periodontics

Apically repositioned flap surgery

This method involves creating a flap of tissue using an incision. The flap is lifted so that excess gum and even bone can be removed. It is then stitched into play near the root of the tooth.

Surgical extrusion

This involves surgically moving the tooth to a preferred location in the mouth and then re-stabilizing the tooth. It is often chosen when a tooth is fractured.

Summary

There are few things that can affect your confidence like the physical appearance or your smile. Having a gummy smile can be damaging to your self-esteem but thankfully, is treatable. A crown lengthening procedure can be just what you need to restore confidence in your mouth. 

Book an appointment and bring that smile again!