Crown Lengthening to Expose Natural Tooth Structure
When it comes to restoring damaged or broken teeth, there are times when your dentist may not be able to place a crown or bridge because there simply isn’t enough tooth structure visible above the gum line. This is where crown lengthening becomes essential. At Toronto North Periodontics, we regularly perform this procedure to ensure patients can receive the restorative treatments they need for a functional, healthy, and long-lasting smile.
In this blog, we’ll explain what crown lengthening is, when it’s needed, what to expect during the procedure, and how it benefits your long-term oral health.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure that involves reshaping the gum and underlying bone around a tooth to expose more of the natural tooth structure. It’s most commonly recommended when:
- A tooth is broken below the gum line
- There is not enough healthy tooth to support a dental crown or bridge
- A restoration needs to be placed, but the existing tooth is too short or compromised
By exposing more of the tooth’s surface, crown lengthening provides a solid foundation for your dentist to build a crown or other restoration.
Why Crown Lengthening Is Important
When a restoration is placed on a tooth without enough structural support, it’s at a higher risk of becoming loose or failing prematurely. In some cases, this could lead to tooth decay, gum inflammation, or even tooth loss.
Crown lengthening solves this by:
✔ Creating enough exposed tooth surface for secure crown placement
✔ Allowing for better cleaning and access around the restoration edges
✔ Helping prevent recurrent decay or gum disease under the crown
✔ Improving the overall aesthetics and health of your smile
In short, crown lengthening doesn’t just make a restoration possible—it makes it more successful in the long term.
What to Expect During the Procedure
A crown lengthening procedure typically takes about one hour and can be performed with local anesthesia alone or in combination with sedation, depending on your preference and comfort level.
The Procedure Steps:
- Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area.
- The gum tissue is carefully reshaped, and if necessary, a small amount of bone is removed to expose the appropriate amount of tooth structure.
- The gums are repositioned and sutured.
- A protective dressing may be applied to assist in healing.
Recovery and Healing
Most patients return to work and regular activities within a day of the procedure. The majority of healing takes place during the first week, and patients can typically resume most of their normal oral hygiene and eating habits at that point.
However, the gum tissue underneath continues to mature over time, and full healing takes about 4 to 6 weeks. During this period:
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods in the surgical area
- Follow your periodontist’s post-op care instructions carefully
- Continue gentle brushing and flossing as advised
- Avoid smoking, which can delay healing
Dr. Valentin Dabuleanu will monitor your healing with follow-up visits at 1 week and 6 weeks post-op. Once healing is complete, your general dentist can proceed with placing the final crown or bridge.
What Will the Tooth Look Like Afterward?
After crown lengthening, the treated tooth will appear longer because more of the natural tooth is now exposed. This can actually improve the aesthetics of your smile, especially in cases where excess gum tissue created a “gummy” appearance.
Watch Crown Lengthening in Action
Curious about what the procedure looks like? Watch this informative video on Crown Lengthening Surgery to learn more:
🎥 Watch on YouTube
Is Crown Lengthening Right for You?
If you’ve been told that your tooth cannot support a crown, or if you’ve experienced repeated failure of dental restorations, crown lengthening may be the solution.
At Toronto North Periodontics, Dr. Valentin Dabuleanu and our expert team are here to assess your needs and provide the personalized care you deserve.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out if crown lengthening is right for your treatment plan. Let us help restore the foundation for a healthier, longer-lasting smile!
