Enhance Your Aesthetics and Oral Health with Crown Lengthening Surgery

Do your teeth appear smaller than usual, or do your gums dominate your smile? Crown lengthening in Windsor Mill, Maryland, is an excellent solution for achieving a balanced tooth-to-gum ratio. If overgrown gum tissue or an uneven gum line is affecting your smile, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Edmondson today.

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes overgrown gingival tissues to make teeth look longer. It’s an ideal solution for individuals with short or small-looking teeth, helping them achieve a more balanced smile by showing more teeth and less gum.

Here are a few reasons why you might need crown lengthening:

  • Better aesthetics: Crown lengthening corrects a “gummy smile” by showing more of the tooth to achieve a perfectly balanced smile. After the procedure, you’ll notice an immediate improvement, as your teeth will appear longer and more defined, giving you a more confident and attractive smile.
  • Crown placement: For a dental crown or filling to be effective, it needs sufficient tooth structure for proper support and stability. Crown lengthening removes excess gum tissue, exposing more of the natural tooth to create the necessary space for the crown or filling to attach securely. By revealing more of the tooth, crown lengthening provides a solid base for your new dental work, resulting in better fit, comfort, and durability.
  • Better oral health: Teeth with longer crowns are much easier to maintain through regular brushing and flossing. By removing excess gum tissue, gum contouring simplifies oral hygiene, making it easier to reach and clean your teeth effectively. Crown lengthening is often recommended as part of periodontal treatment to improve oral health and your smile’s appearance.

What can I expect from the crown lengthening procedure?

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure, but we make it as simple and quick as possible at our office. Before starting, the dentist will numb your gums with local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Once you’re fully numb, we’ll carefully remove the excess gum tissue to enhance your tooth-to-gum balance and create a more harmonious smile.

After the procedure, we’ll place sutures to help guide your gums as they heal. These stitches may be dissolvable, or you may need to return for a follow-up appointment with the doctor to have them removed. With proper care, your gums will heal beautifully, and you’ll be able to enjoy your new, balanced smile in no time!

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, your gums may be tender, sore, or swollen. Our team will give you medications to manage pain and prevent infections. We’ll also provide you with home remedies to ensure smooth recovery. 

In general, here is what you should do to hasten recovery. 

  • Rest for at least 24 hours and limit your physical activities
  • Use an ice pack to reduce facial swelling
  • Take your medicine as prescribed
  • Stick to soft foods and liquids for the first few days
  • Don’t brush or floss the sutured areas, and rinse your mouth with warm, salty water to remove harmful bacteria
  • Don’t smoke or take alcohol, as your gums heal
  • Adhere to the follow-up appointments to ensure you heal as expected

Are you interested in crown lengthening?

Edmondson Family Dental Care offers exceptional crown lengthening services in Windsor Mill. Call (410) 220-5309 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Edmondson. Soon, you’ll achieve the perfectly balanced smile you deserve.Â