A crown is usually placed when a tooth has been damaged to the extent that its strength is compromised, such as when there is a large filling in the tooth or with decay. This can cause deflection and stresses on the remaining tooth structure as the filling expands and contracts due to biting forces. This is often the case in a root canal treated tooth, as these teeth are brittle and prone to fracture, or in a tooth that has already fractured. If this damage or fracture lies below the gum line, then a crown lengthening procedure will be completed to enable crown manufacture and placement to the point of damage.
Why would I need aesthetic crown lengthening?
You may also need crown lengthening if you have a gummy smile. This is where you show more gum than tooth or where the proportion of tooth that is visible is not right. Usually, the tooth should be longer than wide; however, this is sometimes not the case. Fortunately, it is straightforward to correct this with a simple aesthetic crown lengthening procedure. This can be completed without any other work but for that special smile, it may be completed in conjunction with veneers to avoid the need for orthodontics.
Considerations
Crown lengthening may not be for everyone, but we are proud to say we have a large breadth of experience working within an ethical environment. You can rely on us to provide you with clear explanations about your options so that you can make informed decisions that are right for you and your oral health. We will only suggest crown lengthening if it is the optimal option for your dental health, function, and ongoing aesthetics.
