Your smile is one of the things that people will notice about you when they first meet you, and this means that you need to be sure that you’re comfortable with the way your smile looks.
What if you feel like too much of your gums are showing?
This could leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile, but the good news is that there is something that can be done about it. Thanks to our expertise in the area of gummy smiles, we are able to offer you a crown lengthening procedure, which will mean that your smile looks much fuller and whiter.
What does the process of crown lengthening involve?
Sometimes, you will feel that too much of your gum is showing, and in this case, we will recontour the tissue of your gums using a precision laser or surgical technique. Although this might sound scary, it usually takes less than an hour and is much more common than you might think.
What happens on the day?
You will be treated as an outpatient, which means that you will be able to go home as soon as the procedure is finished. Although the treatment can often be carried out in less than an hour, this will differ depending on how many teeth are affected, and whether any soft tissue or bone needs to be removed as a part of the process.
You will be given a local anaesthetic, and depending on your preferences and the opinion of our experts, you may also be offered a sedative. This can make the process much more comfortable and less stressful.
Everyone will have a different experience of this procedure. However it is likely that you will feel some discomfort after the anaesthetic wears off, so we will prescribe you some pain relief to help you to deal with this.
Are there any risks to this procedure?
Because the procedure involves an invasive process, there is a risk of infection – but this is the case with any similar dental treatment. You can minimise your risk of infection by following your dentist’s advice with regards to aftercare after your treatment.
How long will it take me to recover?
Everyone is different, but the recovery time for this procedure is generally around a week or two. You will be able to go about your daily business as your gums heal, however, it is advised that you take it easy from strenuous activity and heavy lifting, as this will increase the risk of bleeding.
You must take any medication that is prescribed for you by your dentist, and follow any guidelines that they give to you. You may find that it helps to use an ice pack on your face for a few hours after the procedure, as this will help to reduce swelling.
For the first 24 hours after the procedure, you should avoid hot foods, and take care when adding these foods back into your diet. You should brush your teeth but should take absolute care doing so, avoiding the surgery site until it is healed.
There is no doubt that crown lengthening treatments can help to improve your smile if you feel that too much gum is showing. With the right advice and care after treatment, you will be thrilled with the results, so contact us if you would like to have a chat about what we can do.
Call on 020 7485 3711 to find out how our team can help you improve your smile.
