How Long Does Crown Lengthening Take?
Crown lengthening is a common procedure that many people undergo to prepare a tooth for a crown. If your dentist has mentioned it as part of your treatment plan, you might be wondering how long the procedure will take. While the surgery itself is typically quick, the full process involves a few steps that take time. Understanding the timeline can help you plan and feel more confident going into treatment. Read on to learn more about the procedure and how long it typically takes.
Why Crown Lengthening Might Be Needed
To understand how long crown lengthening takes, it helps to first know why the procedure is necessary. Crowns need a solid and stable foundation to attach securely to a tooth. If too much of the tooth is hidden beneath the gums, your dentist won’t have enough surface area to properly fit the crown. In these cases, crown lengthening is used to reshape the gumline and expose more of the tooth’s structure.
Sometimes, crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons. Some people have excess gum tissue that makes their teeth look smaller or their smile appear uneven. In those situations, the procedure is done to improve the appearance of the gums and create a more balanced smile.
How Long Does the Procedure Itself Take?
The crown lengthening surgery is a relatively short outpatient procedure. Most of the time, it takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. If the dentist is working on more than one tooth or needs to reshape bone along with gum tissue, the appointment may take longer. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area, so you’ll be comfortable throughout the process.
What About the Full Treatment Timeline?
While the actual surgery is quick, the full timeline for crown lengthening includes several steps. First, your dentist will take X-rays and perform an evaluation to determine if the procedure is needed. In some cases, a temporary crown might be placed before the gum reshaping takes place. Planning the surgery usually takes place over a few visits.
Recovery after the procedure typically takes one to two weeks. Most of the discomfort occurs in the first few days and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. If the dentist removed bone along with gum tissue, the healing period may take longer.
Complete healing of the gums can take up to three months. Your dentist will want to make sure the gums are fully healed before placing a permanent crown, so follow-up appointments are scheduled along the way to monitor progress. Around one month after the surgery, you’ll likely return for a check-in to evaluate healing and discuss next steps.
What Should You Do Next?
If crown lengthening is part of your treatment plan, speak with your dentist about your specific case. They can explain how long each phase of the process is expected to take and help you plan accordingly. Knowing what to expect at each step of the way can make the experience smoother and give you peace of mind as you prepare for your procedure.