Perio Solutions Periodontics, Dental Implants & Implant Prosthetics
Periodontics, Dental Implants & Implant Prosthetics
304 Dogwood Drive Salisbury, MD 21801
410-548-1096
  • Patient Information
    • Introduction
    • First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Financial Policy
    • Insurance
    • FAQ
    • Patient Registration
    • Pre-Operative Surgical Instructions
    • Post-Operative Surgical Instructions
    • Diagnostic Technology
  • Periodontal Disease
    • About Periodontal Disease
    • The Mouth-Body Connection
    • Use of Bisphophonates
    • Preventing Gum Disease
    • Oral Hygiene
    • When to See a Periodontist
    • Women and Periodontal Health
  • Surgical Procedures
    • Osseous Surgery
    • Gum Grafting
    • Frenectomy
    • Crown Lengthening
    • Bone Grafting
      • The Importance of Teeth for Jaw Bone Health
      • Reasons for Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
      • About Bone Grafting
      • Ridge Augmentation
      • Sinus Lift
      • Ridge Expansion
    • Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
    • Dental Implants
    • TEETH-IN-AN-HOUR™
    • Sinus Augmentation
    • Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
  • Non Surgical Procedures
    • Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
    • Bruxism Treatments
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Bite Adjustment
    • Oral Cancer Exam
    • Splinting
  • Innovations
    • Treatment Methods
    • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
    • Piezosurgery
    • Surgical Microscope
    • Photography
  • Referring Doctors
    • Referral Form
    • Links of Interest
  • Meet Us
    • Meet Dr. Felthousen
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Tour
    • Patient Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Information
    • Office Map
  • Photo Gallery
    • Photo Gallery

Surgical Procedures

  • Osseous Surgery
  • Gum Grafting
  • Frenectomy
  • Crown Lengthening
  • Bone Grafting
    • The Importance of Teeth for Jaw Bone Health
    • Reasons for Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
    • About Bone Grafting
    • Ridge Augmentation
    • Sinus Lift
    • Ridge Expansion
  • Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
  • Dental Implants
  • TEETH-IN-AN-HOUR™
  • Sinus Augmentation
  • Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is usually performed to improve the health of the gum tissue, prepare the mouth for a procedure, or correct a “gummy smile”. A “gummy smile” is used to describe an instance where teeth are covered with excess gum tissue resulting in a less esthetically-pleasing smile. The procedure involves reshaping or recontouring the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship. Crown lengthening can be performed on a single tooth, many teeth or the entire gum line.

Crown lengthening is often required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration. The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not immediately accessible. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone.

Crown lengthening allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease.

Crown lengthening takes approximately one hour but will largely depend on the amount of teeth involved and if any amount of bone will need to be removed. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthetic and involves a series of small incisions around the tissue to separate the gums from the teeth. Even if only one tooth requires the procedure, it will probably be necessary to adjust the surrounding teeth to enable a more even reshaping. In some cases, extraction of a small amount of bone will be necessary as well.

When Dr. Felthousen is satisfied that the teeth have sufficient exposure and the procedure is completed, the incisions will be cleaned with sterile water. Sutures and a protective bandage are then placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. Your teeth will look noticeably longer immediately after surgery because the gums have now been repositioned. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to remove the sutures and evaluate your healing. The surgical site should be completely healed in approximately two to three months following the procedure.

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Perio Solutions Periodontics and Dental Implantology
304 Dogwood Dr., Salisbury, Maryland 21801 • Phone: 410-548-1096 • Fax: 410-219-5798

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Periodontist Dr. Gregory C. Felthousen specializes in periodontal procedures including periodontal disease treatment, scaling and root planing, gum graft, i-CAT
crown lengthening, cosmetic treatment, osseous surgery, socket preservation, and dental implants dentistry in Salisbury, MD.

Perio Solutions Periodontics and Dental Implantology serves the following Wicomico County communities near Salisbury Maryland including Ocean City MD, Annapolis MD, Cambridge MD, Easton MD, Milford Mill & Lexington Park.

Periodontics Website Designby PBHS 2012©

Periodontics Website Design by PBHS 2012©