Crown Lengthening

At Brixton Smiles, we can provide crown lengthening to help extend the surface of the tooth.

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is, put very simply, the lengthening and extension of the surface of the tooth.

Why might I need crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is often necessary in combination with another treatment such as a bridge, crown or implant. Some patients may not have enough surface area of the natural tooth available to make a bridge or implant viable, in which case a crown lengthening may be necessary.

Other patients come to us with ‘gummy smiles’, which we can treat with crown lengthening. A gummy smile is one where there is more of the gum visible when we smile because the surface of the tooth is smaller than usual.

What is the treatment like?

This treatment is one that requires great skill and artistry. Like many cosmetic and restorative dental treatments, it is performed under local anaesthetic so the patient doesn’t feel anything.

The appointment should last for roughly an hour, during which we will first perform an X-ray. In some cases, the gum will be contoured with the use of a laser. Some patients may also require some bone to be shaved in order to reveal more of the tooth above the surface of the gum.

What happens after the treatment?

You may experience some bleeding and we would advise avoiding hot food and drinks, as well as chewy, spicy or difficult to eat food for up to 72 hours after. Once the local anaesthetic begins to wear off you may also experience some pain. For this, we would recommend taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and applying an ice pack to the area if there’s any swelling present.

To learn more about crown lengthening, or book an appointment with us, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Brixton Smiles.