One of the more common cosmetic dental procedures is crown lengthening, which aims to remove excess gum tissue around the teeth.
This oral surgery can improve the appearance of a "gummy smile" and may be necessary before placing a crown or other dental restoration**.
There are many types of crown lengthening surgeries, and all of them require some preparation and recovery.
Whether it's to correct cosmetic issues or to prepare for **, crown lengthening is recognized as a safe and effective procedure.
This article describes the goals and common methods of this kind of **, as well as the recovery scenarios.
Goal of crown lengthening
Crown lengthening can be a cosmetic procedure or part of a dentistry** process.
Whether for cosmetic reasons or for dental health, the main goal of this procedure is to lengthen the exposed part of the tooth by reducing the amount of gum tissue.
What is Gummy Smile?
One of the main reasons why people have crown lengthening is a gummy smile.
Clinically known as "excessive gum exposure," this is when you show your teeth and the gums above your teeth appear too large.
Specifically, this condition is defined as having 2 mm or more of gum tissue visible.
Gummy smile and oral health
This condition does not affect the health of your teeth or gums, but it can affect your self-confidence.
Other causes of crown lengthening
While gingival smiling is a common application of crown lengthening, this procedure may also be necessary for other types of dentistry.
These surgeries can**:
1) Uneven gum line:
Crown lengthening corrects uneven and unsightly gum lines.
2) Short teeth: When the tooth size is too small, it can increase in length to create a more natural smile and enhance your appearance.
3) Tooth decay at the root of the tooth:
When cavities form below the gum line, the crown may need to be extended to expose the cavities before a filling can be made.
4) Fixed crown:
For broken or badly decayed teeth, a crown (special cap) is placed over the existing structure.
When the structure is insufficient, a crown needs to be lengthened before it can be installed.
5) Corrective restorations:
The procedure can be corrected when a crown or other type of dental restoration strikes the gums.
How to prepare for crown lengthening surgery
Before lengthening a crown, you'll need to perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and underlying bone.
Crown lengthening is usually done by a gum specialist (also known as a periodontist), but it can also be performed by an oral surgeon or general dentist.
Your healthcare provider will evaluate the X-ray images of your teeth and ask about your medical history, especially the medications you're taking.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that may affect crown lengthening surgery.
If needed, your oral surgeon will install a temporary crown between your initial assessment and surgery.
These are designed to fit into existing teeth and be removed before the crown is lengthened.
Crown lengthening surgery
Whether used for cosmetic purposes or as part of dentistry**, crown lengthening surgeries are highly successful.
There are a variety of different surgical methods, each with specific applications, advantages, and disadvantages.
Note: How to choose a program
There are many factors to consider when deciding which crown lengthening surgery is right for a particular situation.
Oral surgeons must ensure the greatest likelihood of success.
The key factors in making the decision include:
1) Your beauty goals.
2) The relative size of the clinical crown (the tooth above the gum line).
3) The amount of space between the roots of the teeth (fixing them to the bone).
4) The structure of the root.
5) There is bone loss at the root of the tooth (called bifurcation).
6) The position of the tooth in the mouth.
7) Health of existing tooth structure.
8) The likelihood of successful restoration.
Consultation preparation
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to undergo crown extension surgery is up to you.
When consulting an oral surgeon, don't hesitate to ask:
1) Surgeon's surgical experience.
2) Expected results and any risks that may arise.
3) What you can do to promote success.
4) What does recovery look like.
5) Any specific instructions for preparation.
** Alternatives
Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy is a long-standing method of crown lengthening that involves careful removal and removal of gum tissue.
Like other surgeries, this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, although you may be given a sedative beforehand to help you relax.
The time required for such a ** depends on the degree of work required.
Multiple teeth may take more time, and in some cases, the surgeon needs to reshape the underlying bone.
This is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home after surgery.
There are a few steps:
1) Preparation:
After the mouth is numb, the oral surgeon will thoroughly clean the targeted gum tissue. This helps prevent infection. If you have a temporary crown, it will be removed.
2) Tooth extraction: The surgeon carefully extracts the gum tissue to expose the underlying tooth in an effort to prevent affecting the surrounding structure.
Gingivectomy can be performed using a scalpel, laser, or electrocautery, which involves directing heat to remove unwanted tissue.
3) Stitching: Before suturing the remaining gums, the oral surgeon will clean the area with saline. Bandages may also be needed after surgery.
Reposition the flap at the top
The most common type of crown lengthening is apical repositioning flap surgery, which also involves the removal of part of the gums.
Like other types of oral surgery, apical repositioning flap surgery is an outpatient procedure** where the patient is performed under local anesthesia.
The oral surgeon first makes an incision in the target area, creating a flap of tissue.
Lift it gently and carefully cut off part of the tissue.
As with gingivectomy, the bone underneath the part may be removed as part of the surgery.
*When done, clean the gums thoroughly and close the flap with sutures.
Surgical squeezing
Surgical squeezing PRNs is particularly effective for severely damaged teeth, with the goal of physically repositioning the teeth.
In addition to surgery, it also involves squeezing, which means using mechanical force to reposition the teeth.
The main advantage of this method is that bone material rarely needs to be removed.
As with similar surgeries, crown lengthening by surgical squeezing involves several steps:
1) Preparation:
A local anesthetic is applied to the gums, and the area is cleaned thoroughly. You can take antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.
2) Incision: When numb, carefully cut the gum tissue away from the target tooth structure.
3) Removal and repositioning:
Depending on the situation, the tooth and root are either completely removed or pulled to the desired position with a special tool.
4) Reshaping: If the tooth is extracted, the surgeon will clean it thoroughly and may need to perform a root excision: removing a small part of the root tip of the tooth.
5) Replantation and suturing:
The extracted tooth is then re-implanted into place and secured with a splint to the surrounding tooth for support for one to three weeks.
The incision is sutured and the area is thoroughly cleaned again.
How to recover from crown lengthening surgery
After any oral surgery, there will be a long recovery period, and the same is certainly true for crown lengthening surgery.
Generally, it takes three to six months for a full recovery, but the gums may continue to heal for up to nine months.
During this time, special care is required to ensure that there are no complications.
After the local anesthetic wears off, you will experience pain, tenderness, and swelling in your gums for three days, and you may also bleed.
You will also have stitches;These are removed at a follow-up visit 7 to 10 days postoperatively.
Your oral surgeon will provide you with more accurate instructions for post-operative care.
In general, here are a few things you need to keep in mind after oral surgery:
1) Painkillers:
Your surgeon may prescribe or recommend pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or ADVIL. This discomfort may last up to a week.
2) Ice: To help relieve facial swelling, apply an ice pack to the side of the face, spaced 15 minutes apart, until symptoms improve.
3) Head Elevation:
To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated and upright for 8 to 12 hours after surgery.
4) Control bleeding:
The gauze given to you after the procedure is placed in your mouth for one to three hours.
If bleeding occurs, apply wet gauze to the area for 20 minutes at a time, rinsing in between.
If the bleeding does not stop, contact your dentist.
5) Retain the dressing:
Do not remove the dressing for two weeks after surgery.
6) Rest: After the reservation is over, please take a day off. You can resume light activity the day after surgery, but with your healthcare provider's consent before engaging in contact sports.
7) Rinse your mouth: Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. Subsequently, rinse the mouth with warm salt water (1 3 to 1 2 teaspoons salt to 240 ml of water) after each meal and before going to bed.
8) Avoid using straws:
Avoid using a straw while the gums are healing, as the suction can open the wound and affect the sutures.
9) Brush your teeth carefully
Brush your teeth carefully and avoid the affected areas until they are completely healed.
10) Personal Xi:
Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for seven to ten days.
When to see a dentist
Although crown lengthening surgery has a high success rate, complications are always possible.
It's important to keep track of your progress and keep an eye out for signs that something might be wrong.
Call your dentist if:
1) The bleeding did not stop after surgery and after trying to control it.
2) The pain and swelling continue to worsen after three days.
3) Your bite is uneven.
4) Your painkillers aren't working.
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Summary
Crown lengthening surgery can help reduce the appearance of a "gummy smile".
This surgical option can be achieved using different surgical techniques.
It is important to speak with your dentist or oral surgeon to find the best approach.
Any surgical method will be restored, but the results can help people feel more comfortable and happy smiles.
Like other oral surgeries, crown lengthening is essential to restore and improve your smile.
It is well tolerated and highly successful, having helped countless people achieve their desired results.
If you're concerned about your gum line or are considering** damaged or decaying teeth, talk to your healthcare provider.
Pay attention to the 100 Jiahao of the Risk Control Center of the China Integration Association and appreciate the beauty you don't know