Crown Lengthening Pain, Healing, & Risks
Dental crowns are a common solution for teeth that are damaged, weakened, or misshapen. Crowns, which act as protective caps, help restore a tooth’s strength, appearance, and function. Sometimes your dentist might recommend crown lengthening to prepare your tooth for a crown. If you've recently learned you may need crown lengthening, you probably have questions about the procedure, specifically around potential pain, healing times, and any risks involved. Read on to learn more about what you need to know to help you feel prepared.
Understanding Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure that reshapes the gumline to expose more of the tooth surface. It’s often necessary when there isn't enough visible tooth structure to securely place a crown or perform other restorations. Sometimes, the procedure also involves reshaping or removing small amounts of bone around the tooth.
Your dentist will perform the procedure using local anesthesia. This ensures you don’t experience discomfort during treatment. The dentist carefully makes small incisions in your gums and lifts them away from the tooth, exposing more tooth and bone. Once the reshaping is complete, the gums are gently stitched back in place. Typically, crown lengthening is an outpatient procedure, taking about 30 minutes per tooth, although this varies depending on the specifics of your case.
Will the Procedure Hurt?
While you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure due to the local anesthesia, it's common to experience some discomfort once the anesthesia wears off. Most patients describe this discomfort as manageable, and your dentist will likely prescribe pain medication or suggest over-the-counter pain relievers to ease any soreness. Usually, pain and discomfort subside significantly within a few days.
The Healing Process
After crown lengthening, the complete healing process typically takes around three months, although initial recovery happens within days. Here's what you can expect immediately after the procedure:
- First 24 Hours: Avoid rinsing your mouth and consuming hot foods or beverages. Doing so can disturb the surgical site and delay healing.
- First Week: Maintain a soft diet to prevent irritating the gums. Your dentist will place a surgical dressing to protect the area, and it's important to leave this in place for one to two weeks, following your dentist's specific instructions.
- Avoid Harmful Habits: Smoking, consuming alcohol, and touching the surgical site can slow down healing or cause complications. It's essential to avoid these activities to encourage proper recovery.
- You’ll typically be able to return to your normal daily activities within a couple of days, with full healing and stabilization of gum tissue taking about three months.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, crown lengthening comes with some risks. These may include:
- Infection: Although rare, infections at the surgical site can occur. Careful adherence to your dentist’s aftercare instructions significantly reduces this risk.
- Swelling and Bleeding: Temporary swelling or mild bleeding at the procedure site is normal and generally resolves within a few days.
- Sensitivity: Teeth may feel sensitive to hot or cold temperatures temporarily after the procedure.
- Changes to Appearance: Depending on the amount of gum tissue removed, your smile's appearance may change slightly.
What Are My Next Steps?
If crown lengthening is recommended for your dental treatment plan, talk to your dentist about your specific concerns and questions. Understanding what to expect can help ease your mind, making the procedure and recovery smoother. With proper preparation and care, you can confidently move forward, knowing exactly what to expect during the process of crown lengthening.
