Crown Lengthening in Allentown, PA

Enhance your smile with expert crown lengthening for a balanced, natural look. Schedule your consultation today and achieve the confidence of a beautifully refined smile!

At Kearns Family Dental, we offer crown lengthening procedures to help improve both the aesthetics and function of your smile.

Crown lengthening is a common oral surgery that reshapes the gum and bone around your teeth, providing better access for dental restorations or simply enhancing the appearance of your teeth. If you’re seeking a solution for a “gummy” smile or preparing for a restorative procedure, crown lengthening can provide the foundation you need.

Our experienced team at Kearns Family Dental in Allentown, PA, is here to ensure that your crown lengthening procedure is performed with care and precision, helping you achieve the best possible results for your smile and oral health.

What is Crown Lengthening and Why is It Needed?

Crown lengthening is a simple procedure that reshapes the gums to expose more of the tooth’s surface. It’s often done to address issues like a tooth partially hidden by gum tissue or to prepare a tooth for a restoration, like a crown. By adjusting the gum line, this treatment helps teeth look more balanced and ensures they’re ready for long-term dental care.

This procedure might be needed if there is decay below the gum line or if a tooth doesn’t have enough exposed surface to support a crown or filling. It’s also an option for reducing the appearance of a gummy smile, giving teeth a more natural, even appearance. Crown lengthening blends aesthetics and functionality, helping your smile feel complete and healthy. Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth to determine the best treatment plan for your specific needs.

When do you need Crown Lenghtening?

There are several scenarios where crown lengthening may be recommended:

Restorative Needs: When a tooth is damaged due to decay, breakage, or wear, more of the tooth may need to be exposed for a successful restoration like a crown or filling. By lengthening the crown, your dentist gains better access to the affected area, ensuring that the dental work is secure and effective.
Cosmetic Enhancements: Patients with a “gummy” smile often have excess gum tissue covering their teeth, making them appear shorter than they are. Crown lengthening can address this by removing the extra gum tissue, exposing more of the natural tooth and creating a more balanced, symmetrical smile.
To Improve Oral Health: In some cases, excess gum tissue can make it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene, increasing the risk of gum disease. By reducing this gum tissue, crown lengthening can make it easier to clean your teeth and gums effectively, promoting better long-term oral health.

We’ll carefully evaluate your needs and goals to determine if crown lengthening is the right option for you. Our goal is to enhance both the look and health of your smile in a way that’s tailored to your individual needs.

The Crown Lengthening Procedure: What to Expect

Crown lengthening is a straightforward outpatient procedure that can typically be completed in a single visit. However, every case is unique, and the complexity of the procedure will depend on whether we are adjusting just the gum tissue or both the gum and bone.

Here’s what you can expect during the process:

Consultation and Examination: During your consultation at Kearns Family Dental, our team will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and bone structure. We’ll take X-rays to assess the tooth that requires lengthening and determine how much tissue needs to be removed. This step ensures we create a precise treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Anesthesia and Sedation: On the day of the procedure, we’ll administer local anesthesia to numb the area and ensure your comfort. For patients with dental anxiety, sedation options are available to help you relax during the surgery.
Tissue Removal and Reshaping: Once the area is numb, our dentist will gently remove excess gum tissue and, if necessary, reshape the underlying bone to expose more of the tooth’s structure. This creates the additional space needed for restorations or improves the overall appearance of your smile.
Healing and Aftercare: After the procedure, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing. You may experience some mild swelling or discomfort for a few days, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses.

We’ll schedule a follow-up visit to monitor your healing and ensure that the crown lengthening was successful. In cases where the procedure was performed to prepare for a dental restoration, we’ll proceed with your crown or filling once the area has healed completely.

Our skilled oral surgeons perform your crown lengthening with precision and care, ensuring a comfortable, stress-free experience and a smile you can feel confident about.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening offers several benefits for both cosmetic and functional purposes. Key advantages include:

Enhanced Aesthetics: By exposing more of the tooth, crown lengthening improves the appearance of a gummy smile, creating a more balanced look.
Improved Restorations: The procedure provides more tooth structure, ensuring secure and long-lasting restorations like crowns or fillings.
Better Oral Health: Removing excess gum tissue makes it easier to clean teeth and gums, reducing the risk of gum disease and promoting overall oral hygiene.

At Kearns Family Dental, we focus on providing customized care that meets your individual needs and goals. Whether you’re seeking to improve your smile or prepare for a dental restoration, our team is here to help you achieve the best results possible.

Recovery and Aftercare Following Crown Lengthening

Proper aftercare is essential to ensure a smooth recovery following crown lengthening. Here are some general guidelines to help you care for your mouth after the procedure:

Manage Discomfort: Mild discomfort and swelling are common after crown lengthening, but these symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the treatment area can also help reduce swelling.
Stick to a Soft Diet: For the first few days, it’s important to eat soft foods that won’t irritate the gums. Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods that could cause discomfort or slow the healing process.
Keep the Area Clean: It’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene during recovery, but you’ll need to be gentle around the treatment area. Our team will provide specific instructions on how to clean your teeth and gums while avoiding irritation to the surgical site.

We’ll also schedule a follow-up visit to monitor your healing and ensure that the results meet your expectations. With proper care, crown lengthening offers long-lasting benefits that improve both the function and appearance of your smile.

Schedule Your Crown Lengthening Consultation in Allentown, PA

If you’re considering crown lengthening to improve your smile or prepare for a dental restoration, Kearns Family Dental is here to help. Our skilled team is dedicated to providing personalized care that meets your unique needs. Contact us today at (610) 432-7565 or visit our office at 216 North 17th Street, Allentown, PA 18104 to schedule your consultation. Let us help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile with our expert crown lengthening services.