crown lengtheningCrown Lengthening

If you feel your smile is “gummy” or if you think your teeth are too small, crown lengthening may be right for you.

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a procedure performed by your Raleigh periodontist to reshape the gum line and expose more of your teeth to improve the aesthetics of your smile. If you feel that your teeth are “too small” or that you have a “gummy smile,” then crown lengthening can transform your smile into one that makes you feel confident.

How does crown lengthening work?

Crown lengthening involves using a dental laser to remove excess gum tissue around the upper teeth to make them look longer. If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical, balanced smile. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for cosmetic purposes.

Why choose crown lengthening

If your periodontist finds decay or a fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or restoration to prevent the tooth from needing to be extracted.

Removing excessive gingival tissue also means you will have an easier time keeping your teeth clean. In the long run, crown lengthening can help improve your oral health.

 The process of crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is done under local anesthesia, so as the numbing effect wears off, you may feel some discomfort along your new gum line. Usually, a follow-up appointment will be needed to check the healing process.

We want your crown-lengthening procedure to be as comfortable as possible, so let us know if you have any questions. We also offer sedation dentistry to help you feel relaxed and calm during your procedure, should you feel anxious or nervous about it.

Why use a dental laser?

At Triangle Periodontics, Dr. Otis Washington uses a dental laser to remove excess gingival tissue. Laser technology makes the procedure easier, quicker and is more precise than using a scalpel and sutures like with traditional gum surgery.

Benefits of using a dental laser include:

  • Less bleeding since it cauterizes as it goes (no sutures are needed)
  • Less swelling
  • Mild (if any) discomfort
  • Precision, which means less tissue has to be removed
  • No cutting with a scalpel
  • Little to no downtime, recovery is much easier
  • Less risk of an infection

For more information about our revolutionary technology of the PerioLaser LANAP laser, click here.

Am I a candidate for crown lengthening?

The best way to determine if you are a candidate for crown lengthening is to consider a consultation with Dr. Washington. During this consultation, he will assess your oral health, as well as consider your desires for a confident smile. Together, you can decide if this procedure is right for you. Dr. Washington may identify other areas of concerns that need treatment before finalizing your treatment plan.

How much does crown lengthening cost?

The cost varies, depending on how many areas are being treated. However, we offer a variety of payment options including third party financing with interest-free, low monthly payments for those who qualify.

To learn more about crown lengthening or to schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 919-782-9536.

Triangle Periodontics welcomes patients of Apex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina.