Crown Lengthening Pain, Healing and Risk
Crown lengthening is a surgical dental procedure where the gums are trimmed away to expose more of the surface of the teeth underneath. The procedure is often recommended to improve the appearance of oversized gums or to help with restoring a broken or decayed tooth. If your dentist has recently recommended a crown lengthening procedure, you may be interested in learning more about the procedure, how much pain to prepare for, and what to expect from recovery.
The Crown Lengthening Procedure
During the crown lengthening procedure excess gum and bone tissue are surgically removed from around the teeth to make more of the natural teeth visible. The goal of this procedure may be either to improve the appearance of gums or to help make restoration of a broken or decayed tooth possible. Regardless of the goal, the procedure usually involves the same steps. First, the surgeon will numb the area to be treated with a local anesthetic to help minimize pain and discomfort. Next, the surgeon will trim away excess gum tissue around the teeth by cutting away small pieces of tissue. If a broken or decayed tooth needs to be restored, more tissue may be removed. Finally, when the gums have been reshaped, the area will be cleaned, and stitches will be put in. The crown lengthening procedure is usually an outpatient treatment which means patients are able to go home immediately after the procedure.
Pain and Recovery
The recovery period for crown lengthening lasts approximately 3 months. Immediately after the procedure, some minimal pain and swelling will occur. Ice and over the counter pain medication will help with initial pain and swelling. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide a few additional tips to help with recovery, including:
For 2-3 days after the procedure, your dentist will recommend avoiding:
- Hard foods that involve a lot of chewing
- Any strenuous activity
- Heavy lifting and exertion. For patients who have jobs that involves exertion, their dentist may encourage taking a day or 2 off.
- Hot foods and rinsing of the mouth
- Smoking and drinking alcohol. In fact, smoking and drinking should be avoided for at least 7 days, until the post-op appointment. Smoking and alcohol can both cause a delay in the healing of the tissue.
Avoiding all of these things after the procedure will help to minimize the risk of extra bleeding and delayed healing.
Possible Risks of The Procedure
There are some possible risks involved in the crown lengthening procedure. First, as with any surgery, the procedure introduces the risk of infection. Following the surgeon’s instructions for recovery will help prevent infection. If you aren’t sure about your instructions you were provided, contact your dental office with any questions you have. Additional risks include excessive bleeding after the procedure, and sensitivity to hot and cold. Any of the discomfort, bleeding, or sensitivity will lessen after a few days. Lastly, the crown lengthening procedure might make it more difficult to have a dental implant installed or a damaged tooth restored in the future.