Crown Lengthening & Gingival Contouring
Suffering from an uneven gum line?​
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A gummy smile may be a genetic result or even caused by taking certain prescription drugs. Receding gums or gums that are too high and make your teeth appear longer are often caused by gum recession or gum disease.
No matter the cause of your uneven gums, we can help.
Dr. Hansen offers crown lengthening and gingival contouring treatments as a way to help smooth out your gum line, protect your oral health, and give you a more beautiful smile.
Cosmetic improvements
Suffering from an uneven gum line? Then you know how it can affect the appearance of your smile. Receding gums or high gums make your teeth look longer than normal, whereas a gummy smile or low gums make your teeth look short.
Prep for a dental crown
Crown lengthening adds more space between the supporting jawbone and a dental crown, which prevents your new crown from damaging gum tissue and bone.
Restoring damaged & decaying teeth
Crown lengthening may be necessary to treat severe tooth decay below your gum line or to fix a tooth that’s fractured and broken off below the gum line.
Protection from gum disease & tooth loss
Uneven gums can make you more susceptible to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Crown lengthening may be recommended as part of your treatment plan for gum disease.
What does gum contouring involve?
Gum contouring and crown lengthening treatments are always personalized to your needs.
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We’ll use a local anesthetic to numb the area. Sedation options are also available.
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Using high-tech lasers and advanced techniques, we’ll reshape the gums at the base of your teeth, exposing or covering your tooth surface.
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In some cases, adjusting the bone level to extend the size of your visible tooth may also be necessary.
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We’ll finish the procedure by cleaning and sterilizing the area.
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Depending on your treatment, you may require a few stitches and an intraoral bandage to prevent infection.
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We’ll provide thorough post-operative instructions. You’ll feel great in no time and have a beautiful, healthy smile to show for it!