Crown Lengthening for a Less Gummy Smile

Do your gums overshadow your teeth when you smile? Ashcraft Morgan Dental can assist you with your cosmetic dentistry concerns in Russellville, AR. Dr. Richard Morgan will make your gums look perfect.

What is Crown Lengthening?

Our teeth are like icebergs - there is so much more underneath the surface. The crown is the part of a tooth that is visible above the gums. When people appear to have tiny teeth, most of their teeth are actually beneath their gums. However, we can correct this aesthetic issue with a cosmetic dentistry procedure called crown lengthening.

Crown lengthening can help our dentists expose more teeth that are hiding underneath your gums. Dr. Morgan would perform crown lengthening by recontouring your gum tissue with a laser to expose more of the tooth’s surface. It is an outpatient procedure that would take less than an hour at our office in Russellville, AR.

According to Medical News Today, a gummy smile often consists of more than 3 millimeters of exposed gum. 

While a gummy smile is usually not a health risk, it may be an indicator of an underlying health issue such as poor dental hygiene or inflammation from certain medications. 

What Is This Procedure Like?

We would give you anesthesia before starting this cosmetic dentistry procedure. Then Dr. Morgan would cut the gums to pull them away from the teeth. Ideally, only excess gums are removed, but some bones may also need to be reshaped in some situations. Next, we would wash the area with saltwater before the gums are put back together.

Once you wake up from your anesthesia, we may prescribe a pain reliever, or suggest you take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Since this is an outpatient procedure, you are allowed to go home immediately.

Once you go home after completing your cosmetic dentistry surgery in Russellville, AR, practice good dental oral hygiene to avoid infection. Avoid hard, salty, or spicy food so that your gums can heal properly. You may also want to use a cold compress if there is swelling.

Ready to wave goodbye to a gummy smile and reveal more of your beautiful teeth? Call your cosmetic dentistry professional in Russellville, AR at (479) 968-1470. At Ashcraft Morgan Dental, Dr.Morgan will give you the smile you always dreamed of.