Crown Lengthening in Middletown, CT

Holzinger Periodontics & Dental Implants provides crown lengthening services in Middletown and New Britain. Call us today to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Crown lengthening is a common periodontal procedure that exposes more of a tooth’s surface by removing a small amount of gum tissue. The procedure can be used for cosmetic purposes to create a more aesthetic gumline and in order to expose more of a tooth prior to the placement of a dental bridge or crown, giving the restoration better support for increased stability.

Crown lengthening begins by numbing the area with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable through your procedure. Next, excess periodontal tissue and a small amount of bone is removed. The gums are then rinsed with a sterile salt water solution and sutured in place. If needed, a bandage will be placed on the site to promote healing.

The anesthetic will begin to wear off in the hours after your appointment and you’ll begin to notice some swelling and soreness at the surgical site. You’ll be provided with pain medication to help prevent infection, encourage healing, and relieve any discomfort. We will give you complete aftercare instructions during your appointment, but we recommend taking some time to rest after your crown lengthening procedure and limiting any physical exertion. After two or three days, you can resume physically challenging activities and heavy lifting.

The crown lengthening procedure itself is not painful, as local anesthesia is used to numb the area being treated. As the anesthesia wears off, you will experience tenderness at the site, but we will provide you with instructions to help you manage any pain.

Yes, crown lengthening is worth it. Patients who feel self-conscious about having a “gummy” smile feel more confident with a balanced, aesthetic gumline. If you need crown lengthening for the placement of a restoration, your crown or bridge will be more stable after the procedure.

The cost of crown lengthening depends on how much periodontal work is needed. Cosmetic crown lengthening is usually performed on multiple teeth, so it typically costs more than crown lengthening needed on a single tooth for a restoration placement.

Yes, you can go back to work after crown lengthening. That said, remember that your gums may be swollen and uncomfortable for a time after your procedure and until the local anesthesia wears off, your speech may be affected. Many patients decide to take the rest of the day off of work to relax at home after their crown lengthening appointment.

It typically takes around six weeks to three months for the gums to completely heal after crown lengthening. Once healing has finished, your crown can be placed.

Call us today to schedule your appointment.