What is Crown Lengthening?
If you show excessive gums when you smile (a “gummy smile”), we can remove gum tissue and expose more of your teeth through crown lengthening. Crown lengthening is also effective for those whose teeth appear “short” due to excess gum tissue, allowing us to give you a more natural looking smile. Trauma or aggressive brushing and flossing may also cause an uneven gum line. We are able to improve the balance and create an even, aesthetically pleasing smile. If bacteria has infected your teeth below the gum line, tooth decay may develop. This bacteria is unable to be cleaned away without professional treatment because your tooth brush and floss cannot reach inside these periodontal pockets between gums and teeth. We are able to use the crown lengthening procedure to remove gum tissue that covers decay and provide treatment to the affected area.
During the crown lengthening procedure for those with a gummy smile, we will carefully remove the excess gum tissue covering the teeth. This will reveal more of the tooth structure and less gum tissue, creating an attractive smile with teeth that appear more natural-looking. For those with uneven gums, our doctors will balance out the gum line to make a harmonious and symmetrical smile. Traditionally, crown lengthening is performed surgically with scalpels and sutures, but at Affiliated Periodontists, we utilize advanced laser dentistry for a more gentle and less invasive approach.
Experienced Laser Gum Treatment
Drs. Robert and Michael Jaffin and Akshay Kumar are board-certified periodontists who are dedicated to providing a treatment plan that will benefit your smile for the rest of your life. We can perform a crown lengthening procedure through state-of-the-art laser dentistry for a gentler and minimally-invasive approach. Laser dentistry does not require the use of scalpels, and patients say they had minimal bleeding and discomfort. Many of our patients who seek treatment for an uneven gum line or a gummy smile also experience a drastic increase to their self-confidence and their smile after the procedure is completed.