Say goodbye to that gummy smile

A smile is the first thing most people notice when they meet someone. However, a beautiful smile is not all about white or straight teeth alone.  If your gum tissue extends too far down or is uneven and too much exposed, the smile's aesthetics can be affected. This condition is called a gummy smile. But don't worry; there are ways to solve this concern. 

What is meant by a gummy smile?

A gummy smile is the one that displays an excessive amount of gum line, and the condition is also known as an excessive gingival display. In general, if the gum line is 3 to 4 millimeters exposed, the person is said to have a disproportionate, gummy smile.

At Stonewall Dental, we offer cosmetic dentistry treatment like dental crown lengthening to remedy this concern.

Dental crown lengthening

Dental crown lengthening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to reposition the gums at the bottom of the desired tooth. The additional tooth surface is revealed through this procedure, and the bone level is adjusted if necessary. 

During crown lengthening, the gum tissue is reshaped to expose more of the patient's tooth and is used to lengthen the surface volume of the desired tooth. This procedure removes excess gum tissues to make more portions of the tooth visible. Besides, it also reveals the cavities and fractured regions of the gumline, assisting the dentists in maximizing the efficiency of the required dental repairs and corrections by recontouring the gum tissue.

Why Get Crown Lengthening?

The Crown lengthening procedure improves gummy smiles by revealing more areas of the tooth structure, thus helping achieve an aesthetic smile.  

Crown lengthening helps maintenance of proper oral hygiene, thus preventing future teeth and gum-related problems.

Crown lengthening procedure can be used to restore or repair a tooth that has severe decay under the gums or is broken off at the gum line.

Advantages of dental crown lengthening procedure

• Practically painless procedure
• Instant results
• Aesthetic, proportioned smile
• Better self-confidence resulting from having a beautiful smile
• Ensures better oral hygiene, thus reducing the chance of tooth decay and disease
• Assist in restorative treatments

Crown Lengthening Procedure 

During the first appointment, a detailed dental exam of the patient is conducted, and X-rays are taken to determine the patient's oral health condition and positioning of the teeth and roots. Once the patient is found medically fit for the procedure, the crown lengthening surgery begins.

The procedure starts by numbing the area of treatment by administering local anesthesia. An incision is made on the patient's gum and is pulled away from the affected teeth to reveal the tooth roots and bones. The area is then cleaned using saline water, is sutured, and a protective bandage is placed to ensure thealing. 

The crown lengthening procedure offers instant results, and the treatment can be accomplished in less than an hour at our dental office. 

Crown Lengthening Procedure - Aftercare 

Crown lengthening procedure needs almost three months to get healed.  The patients are instructed not to apply pressure on the gums during the healing time to prevent bleeding. Besides, if the patient experiences any pain, they are prescribed painkillers. The patient should avoid the consumption of hot foods for three days once the procedure is done.  

The patients are also recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking during the healing period. The patient needs to visit the dentist regularly to replace the dressing. Furthermore, the treated area should be brushed gently. If the patient experiences some discomfort, it is advised to visit the dentist to avoid any chances of swelling and infection. 

Do you have a gummy smile and want to know more about the crown lengthening procedure? Get in touch with our dentists at Stonewall Dental by calling (703) 368-1000 or visit our office at 8719 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110.