Understanding The Benefits and Limitations of Crown Lengthening

A beautiful smile is a crucial factor in boosting your confidence and promoting overall dental health. You may have heard of crown lengthening as a restorative dental procedure that can help improve your smile, but you may not be fully aware of what it involves. In this blog post, we'll explore crown lengthening in detail, including who needs it, the procedure details, and associated risks and limitations. We'll also discuss aftercare instructions and conclude with an in-depth explanation of the importance of this restorative dental procedure.

Who Needs Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is typically performed for cosmetic and restorative purposes. If you're dealing with an uneven gum line or you want to decrease the appearance of a "gummy" smile, crown lengthening can help you achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile. At the same time, the procedure is essential for patients requiring restoration treatments such as dental crowns and fillings. The process of crown lengthening exposes more of the tooth's structure, allowing the dentist to perform necessary restorative procedures. In some cases, crown lengthening may also resolve other dental issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or root exposure.

Procedure Details:

Crown lengthening is performed by a board-certified periodontist who administers local anesthesia to numb the affected area, making the procedure painless. During the surgery, the periodontist reshapes the gum tissue, sometimes removing a little bone to expose the root of the tooth. This process enhances the size and shape of your teeth while producing an even and natural-looking gumline. After, the gums are sutured, and a follow-up appointment is recommended to check healing and monitor progress.

Risks and Limitations:

While crown lengthening poses few risks, it's always essential to seek advice from a certified dentist. Once the procedure is completed, patients may experience swelling, bleeding, or discomfort around the treated area, which is normal and should subside within a few days. Sometimes it may take an extended time, depending on each person. Patients should follow postoperative instructions such as carefully brushing and flossing, avoiding hard and crunchy foods, and making sure to take any prescribed medication. There are also limitations to the procedure, so if you're dealing with certain dental issues, crown lengthening may not be a practical option. Consulting with your periodontist will determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

Aftercare Instructions:

After the procedure is done, it's essential to follow the recommended aftercare instructions to promote healing and minimize discomfort. Patients should avoid hard and crunchy foods for a week or more. They should continue to brush and floss, but be gentle around the treated area. Using ice packs helps reduce any swelling. The periodontist will prescribe medication to help manage any postoperative pain or discomfort. Taking recommended medication and attending follow-up appointments will ensure optimal healing and desired results.

Conclusion:

Crown lengthening is a valuable procedure in restorative dentistry that enhances both the appearance and dental health of patients. It's crucial to consult with a certified periodontist, who can accurately determine whether crown lengthening is the right option for you. Follow the postoperative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and the best results. If you have questions or want to learn more about restorative dental procedure, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional dentist. They will guide you through the process and help you achieve the smile you've always wanted.

What Some of Our Patients are Saying

Mariaelena Carrillo
Google
Everyone is very friendly and understanding! I got my wisdom teeth removed from this location and I wasn’t feeling too good after and they helped watch over me and next thing you know I’m feeling way better after a few minutes of their help!:) I come back in for my checkup appointment and they were super helpful with any questions I had and the healing process went smoothly!
Rosebud
Google
This is a very conscientious Practice. I Love my Periodontist Mr. SHELDON LU, DMD, MS he is caring, Extremely thorough , Answers all my questions with pleasure. Office staff Nancy, Maria and the rest of the staff there are same as Mr. SHELDON LU!! I’m glad I found him , and his wonderful staff. Makes a difference to me when people care. I would recommend this office anyone five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️from me , thank you for everything.
Victoria Shebala
Google
Dr Lu is an excellent periodontist. He doesn’t believe in giving a patient too many medications when they are not necessary. He really cares about his patients. He makes sure to keep the patient’s teeth and gums clean to prevent any serious gum disease. I am one of his patients and highly recommend him. The members of his office staff and assistants are very professional.
Queenie Zhao
Google
The clinic recommended by a friend specializing in the treatment of periodontal disease provided me with satisfactory service from the appointment to the post-operative period. Dr. Lu is very professional,he’s so considerate and gently answered my questions, he also taught me how to take care of my teeth every day. The front desk and the dental assistant are very warm and polite too.
Peterzj Luo
Google
Small office, but very cozy and friendly. This is my first visit. I am very much impressed by Dr. Lu's professionalism and expert knowledge. He did a thorough examination and explained treatment options in easy-to-understand language. I feel very comfortable and well treated. I definitely would come back and recommend to others.
Farhat Farooqui
Google
I was nervous before my tooth extraction and grafting procedure, but I knew I was in good hands with Dr Sheldon Lu and his staff. Dr Lu’s expertise and gentleness, and his staff’s efficiency and genuine concern for the patients made the surgical experience as pleasant as such a procedure can be. I would recommend Iconic Periodontics 100% to anyone. Thank you, Dr Lu and staff!
Stilian Halembakov
Google
Very friendly and nice team. Dr Sheldon Li is soft-spoken and gentle, thorough in his dental expertise without pushing for a decision on proposed action plan. Highly recommended !
Julisa T
Google
I love this dentist office. The front office is always kind, professional and very efficient. The dentists are always gentle quick and do an amazing job. I am a big chicken when it comes to any kind of invasive procedures, even minor ones. But I always feel at ease when I come here.10 ⭐️’s
Jennifer Joy Miller
Google
From the first point of contact on the phone I knew IPDI was a great place. After meeting Dr. Sheldon Lu, it was clear we’d found a gem. Dr Sheldon Lu and his team are professional, genuinely kind, caring and confident. You feel like not only have you met a great dentist, but made a new friend. Dr. Sheldon Lu is an honest dentist who instills trust in his patients by being upfront and genuine. I appreciate each staff member as well. Kind, clear and positive people work here.
Phuongut Huynh
Google
I had a wonderful experience at this place . Service was fast and the staff were very friendly. They made sure all concern I had about my teeth were answer . They took time to answer my questions and explain everything well to me . I came for a regular check up and cleaning done . The place was very nice. I usually don’t liked coming to a dentist office but for sure I will return back for my next checkup and cleaning Thanks to Dr Sheldon luu and his wonderful staff for such taking good care of me !

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