Correcting Short Teeth / Gummy Smile

Diagnosis: #1

Cosmetic for Short Teeth or a "Gummy Smile": Reshaping the gum and supporting tissues provides your general dentist adequate room to place quality final crowns or veneer restorations. This cosmetic procedure is critical and necessary to establish a natural smile when the front teeth are too short, or uneven in length.

Diagnosis: #2

Functional for Decayed or Fractured Teeth: When decay occurs, or a tooth fractures below the gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue to save the tooth. Your dentist may ask for this procedure before making a new crown or veneer for your tooth.

Periodontal procedures are available to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the health and esthetics of your smile. Your dentist or periodontist may also recommend crown lengthening in order to make a restorative procedure possible. If a tooth is badly worn, decayed or fractured below the gum line, crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to gain access to more of the tooth so that it can be restored.

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that recontours the gum tissue and often the underlying bone surrounding one or more teeth so that an adequate amount of healthy tooth is exposed. Crown lengthening is often used as part of a treatment plan for a tooth that is to be fitted with a crown. This procedure provides the necessary space between the supporting bone and crown, preventing the new crown from damaging gum tissues and bone.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

Functional crown lengthening is an important part of an integrated effort to optimize your health, appearance, comfort and function. A beautiful smile and improved periodontal health are your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.