01
Pain relief
Prescribed before the anaesthetic wears off, not once it already hurts. The schedule comes out of the procedure itself, in writing.
Crown lengthening in Barcelona
Crown lengthening lowers the level of the gum, and of the bone if needed, to leave more tooth showing. It is done when too little healthy tooth is left above the gum to hold a crown, or to even out the height of the smile. It is an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic, and full healing takes about three months.
Your health comes first
The crown lengthening technique is performed at the Barcelona Dental Clinic under local anesthesia, and is an outpatient procedure. The periodontist will make an incision in the gum to expose the root of the tooth and the bone around it.
The excess bone will then be removed with specific surgical instruments and the gum will be reshaped to achieve a more esthetic contour. After surgery, it is important to follow the postoperative care instructions given by the dentist, such as rinsing with specific mouthwashes, avoiding hard or hot foods, and maintaining good oral hygiene.
It is important to note that crown lengthening is a safe and effective technique, but as with any surgical procedure, there may be some risks and complications. It is therefore important that the treatment is performed by an experienced and properly trained specialist.
In which patients is crown lengthening indicated?
It is indicated in patients who have:
- Correct malocclusion problems by adjusting the length of the teeth and improving the balance between the dental arches.
- Dental wear, since it allows reconstructing the lost dental structure and improving masticatory function.
- Gingival smile.
- Resorbed pieces in the root zone.
- Teeth in need of more quantity for rebuilding.
- Decayed teeth with gingiva below the gumline.
In summary, crown lengthening is a cosmetic dental surgery technique that improves the esthetics and function of teeth, either for esthetic purposes or for the restoration of damaged teeth. It is important that it is performed by an experienced and properly trained periodontist to ensure an optimal result.
Protocol for crown lengthening
Crown lengthening is a simple cosmetic surgery technique performed to recontour the bone around the teeth and reshape the gum contour, exposing more tooth surface. It is important to have a good oral hygiene and to eliminate bacterial plaque before treatment.
Crown lengthening is indicated to reconstruct damaged teeth, for esthetic purposes such as solving a gummy smile, to have more teeth, in decayed teeth or with apical perforations. The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, consists of making cuts in the tissue to detach the gum from the tooth and remove part of the bone and gum, cleaning the tooth structure and suturing.
What the procedure costs, and the crown that usually follows it, is broken down on the page about crown lengthening cost in Barcelona.
Care after the procedure
02
Cold for the first hours
Wrapped ice against the cheek, in short spells, through the first day. It brings down the swelling, which is what bothers most.
03
Soft, lukewarm food
Nothing hard, nothing very hot and nothing you have to bite with the treated area, while the gum heals.
04
Careful hygiene in the area
The rest of the mouth is brushed as usual. In the operated area you follow what you are told, usually a rinse instead of a brush for the first few days.
05
Review and healing
The tissue closes in a few days and full healing takes around three months, which is when the gum settles for good.
Frequently asked questions
What is crown lengthening for?
To leave more tooth showing, and it is considered for two very different reasons: because too little healthy tooth is left above the gum to hold a crown, or because your smile shows more gum than tooth.
Does it hurt, and how long is the recovery?
It is done under local anaesthetic and is an outpatient procedure, so it does not hurt during the treatment. Afterwards there is discomfort and swelling for a few days, and full healing takes about three months, which is when the gum settles for good.
Can the crown go on the same day?
No. You have to wait for the gum to stabilise, because if the crown is made earlier, the margin ends up showing once the tissue settles. That waiting time is explained at the assessment.
