Crown lengthening pain, healing and risk

Crown lengthening is a dental procedure where the gums are recontoured to expose more of the natural surface of the teeth. The procedure is often recommended to improve the appearance of a “gummy” smile, or to help with the placement of a new crown. If you have a crown lengthening procedure in your future, you may be in search of more information about the procedure, how much pain to prepare for, and what to expect from recovery.

The crown lengthening procedure

The goal of the crown lengthening procedure is to surgically remove excess gum and bone tissue around the teeth to make more of the structure of the natural teeth visible. This is either done to cosmetically improve the appearance of oversized gums, or to help with the restoration of a broken or decayed tooth. Regardless of the end goal, the steps of the procedure are generally the same:

  1. Step 1: The surgeon will numb the area to be treated with local anesthetic.
  2. Step 2:  Once the area is numb, the dentist will trim away excess gum tissue around the teeth. If the tooth needs to be restored, more tissue may be removed than for the procedures with cosmetic goals.
  3. Step 3: When the gums have been reshaped, the area will be sterilized, and stitches will be put in.

The crown lengthening procedure is usually an outpatient treatment meaning you will go home immediately afterward and start your recovery.

Pain and Recovery

The total recovery period for the procedure is approximately 3 months. Immediately after the procedure, some pain and swelling should be expected. Here are some tips to follow to help with your recovery:

  • Use an ice pack and over the counter pain medication to help with initial pain and swelling.
  • For the first 2-3 days post procedure, avoid foods that are hard to chew and any strenuous activity.
  • If you work a job with heavy lifting and exertion, you should consider taking a day or 2 off to avoid causing bleeding and delayed healing.
  • To avoid causing excess bleeding, avoid hot foods and rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for the first 7 days or until your post-op appointment. Smoking and alcohol can both cause a delay in the healing of the tissue.

Possible risks of the procedure

There are some possible risks of the crown lengthening procedure to consider. First, the surgery introduces the risk of infection, however this is risk is not greater than other surgical procedures. Following your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions will help prevent infection. If you have any questions during recovery, don’t be afraid to contact your dental office. Additional risks include bleeding after the procedure, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Both of the sensitivity and bleeding will lessen with time. Lastly, if you lose your tooth in the future as a result of an accident, the crown lengthening might make it more difficult to have a dental implant installed.

More on Crown Lengthening : Do I need Crown Lengthening?