Our dentist can perform the crown lengthening during a single appointment using local anesthetic. Once the tissues are numb, our dentist will gently separate the gum tissue from the tooth to be treated. The excess will be removed, and the remaining tissue will be sutured as needed. Bandages may be placed to protect the tissue as it heals. You may need to eat a soft diet for a few days, and our dentist may prescribe medication to reduce the risk of complications.
This procedure, which may also be called gummy smile reduction, can be performed on a single tooth or on several teeth depending on your needs. If it is being performed for restorative reasons, the filling or crown procedure may be performed at the same time to minimize your chair time and need for anesthesia. Call us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our Santa Clara cosmetic dentist.