How Long Does the Crown Lengthening Procedure Take?
Thanks to advances in dentistry there are dental treatments available to treat almost any oral health concern. If you have oversized gums that you have always wanted to change, there is even a treatment solution for you. The crown lengthening alexandria va procedure is designed to reduce the size of the gums in proportion to the natural teeth. You may be wondering what the crown lengthening procedure is and how long the procedure takes? Here is more information about the procedure and how long you can expect the preparation, procedure, and recovery to take.
What is Crown Lengthening?
The goal of the crown lengthening procedure is to surgically remove excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of the teeth underneath. Crown lengthening is a recommended treatment to fix:
- Tooth restoration: If a tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline, it may be challenging to restore it. The procedure for restoration involves removing tissue to make more of the natural tooth available to attach a new crown.
- Aesthetic appearance: For individuals who have teeth that look short or gums that look too big, removing a small amount of gum tissue along the gumline can change the appearance of the smile. During the procedure a small amount of tissue is trimmed from several teeth to reshape the gumline.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Unlike many popular dental treatments, crown lengthening is not a quick in and out procedure. In total, the entire process takes a few months from the initial planning to recovery. While the procedure varies depending on the number of teeth involved and the goal, the overall process occurs in the following steps:
- Planning and preparation: An initial dental visit prior to the procedure is necessary to review X-rays, discuss the treatment plan, and schedule the surgery. During this visit it is important to ask any questions you have about the process.
- Outpatient Procedure: During the procedure the oral surgeon will carefully cut and trim away the gum tissue to reveal more of the natural teeth. The length of the surgery will depend on the number of teeth involved. The more teeth involved, the more tissue that needs to be removed and the longer the procedure will take.
- Recovery: It takes approximately 7-10 days after the procedure before the stitches can be removed. After the stiches are removed, the gums will need a few months to fully heal.
- Follow-up treatment: If more work on the teeth are needed, such as a tooth restoration, is important to wait until the gums are fully healed before additional work can be done.
Post Procedure Recovery
Immediately after the procedure, some swelling and discomfort can be expected for a few days. Your surgeon will recommend ice to help with the swelling. Additionally, over the counter pain medication can help to reduce any pain. For the first few days after the procedure, eating soft foods will help to minimize pain and discomfort.