How Long Does Crown Lengthening Take?
If your dentist recommends crown lengthening, or you are looking into the procedure yourself, you may have questions regarding the purpose and how long it takes.
What is crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that exposes more of the tooth beneath the gum. Dental surgeons recontour the gum tissue, and even sometimes the bone, to expose the tooth’s surface for a few different reasons, the most common being a crown.
How long does the procedure take?
The process begins with planning and evaluation. Your dentist or surgeon will assess the tooth and the area around it, determining if the procedure is necessary, how much gum to remove, or if bone is needed. They will likely take an X-Ray or scans to make a treatment plan.
At the beginning of the procedure, you will be given local anaesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. If you are extremely nervous, we recommend talking to your dentist about other sedation options. Once the patient is numb, the surgeon will create very small incisions to extract the gum from the tooth. The time of surgery depends on how many teeth are involved, but in most cases, it will take between 30 and 60 minutes from the first incision to stitching and cleaning. Once the bone and gums have been reshaped, the gums will be sewn into place, and the area will be cleaned.
After about 7-10 days, the surgeon will remove the sutures, and you will be seen back in the office around a month later to check and ensure the area is healing properly. It will take about 2-3 months for the gums to heal completely. Generally, from start to finish, the process can take a few months, although the surgery itself often takes less than one hour.
What is the recovery process like?
The recovery process for a crown lengthening procedure is more or less straightforward, and practicing good oral hygiene throughout the process will help enormously. Your dentist will provide you with a recommended care regimen for optimal healing, such as a saltwater rinse or avoidance of certain foods. Practicing good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing carefully to keep the area clean and free of bacteria will speed up the healing process.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a crown lengthening procedure depends on multiple factors, beginning with how many teeth are involved. In most cases, it will cost between $500-$2,000 per tooth. In many cases, if one tooth needs work, it is likely the teeth on both sides might require reshaping as well. Another factor that affects the cost is the extent of the procedure. Some procedures may only involve reshaping of the gums, while others might require reshaping of the tooth. The more advanced the procedure, the more costly it will be due to the time and skill necessary. Another common factor is the type of anaesthesia. Oftentimes, a crown lengthening procedure is done under local anaesthesia, but if the patient requires general anaesthesia, that will increase the cost. If you have dental insurance and need the procedure for tooth restoration, they may help you with all or a portion of the cost and come up with a payment plan. If the procedure is for cosmetic reasons, your insurance is likely to cover much less than if it’s for dental health reasons.
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