Crown Lengthening and Gum Contouring: Reshape Your Smile, Not Just Your Teeth

A beautiful smile isn’t just about teeth. Your gums play a big role in how your smile looks. Problems like uneven or excess gum tissue can get in the way of showing off your gorgeous pearly whites. 

Cosmetic dentistry treatments like gum contouring and crown lengthening reverse these issues. These procedures reveal more of your natural tooth structure to create a more balanced smile. 

Do you need a smile makeover? Learn more about how these treatments can benefit you. 

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a treatment designed to expose more of the visible portion of your teeth. During the procedure, the dentist removes any excess gum tissue that’s in the way. After it’s done, you can see more of your natural smile.

Helps With Proper Crown Placement

In cosmetic dentistry, crown lengthening may be done during the placement of a crown or simply to improve the look of your smile. Getting extra gum tissue out of the way helps the dentist place a crown correctly and balance cosmetics with functionality. 

You can get crown lengthening done on just one tooth or several at a time, depending on your goals. It’s time to show off more of those pearly whites!

What is gum contouring? 

Sometimes, gum tissue becomes uneven or starts taking over the rest of your smile. Gum contouring corrects this problem by reshaping your gum line and making it more even across your teeth. 

This treatment is common for “gummy smiles.” Contouring your gums makes your teeth more visible and keeps it in proportion with the rest of your smile. When you smile, the gum-to-tooth ratio will be even and balanced. 

Gum contouring can be done with a gentle laser or other minimally invasive tool. This procedure is fairly quick and comfortable for most patients. 

Benefits of Reshaping Your Gums

Procedures like crown lengthening and gum contouring are wonderful for the look and feel of your smile. Here’s how they can benefit you long-term. 

Facial Symmetry and Balance 

Gum contouring and crown lengthening bring symmetry and better proportions to your face for a more balanced look. When you smile, you’ll see just the right amount of teeth and gums. This goes a long way to increase your confidence. 

Better Cosmetics 

Crown lengthening makes your teeth look longer and more proportional to the amount of gum tissue surrounding them. Similarly, gum contouring reveals more of your teeth and straightens your gum line. This effect can make your teeth look straighter and more aligned than before. 

Healthier Teeth and Gums 

Gum reshaping has oral health benefits, too. When you have deep gum pockets, they easily trap food particles and debris and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, this leads to inflammation, gum disease, and tooth decay. 

Crown lengthening and gum contouring get rid of these deep pockets and improve your oral hygiene. It becomes easier to clean your teeth and gums, meaning less risk of gum disease. In the long run, this saves you time and money on more extensive dental procedures later.  

When These Treatments Make Sense

Dentists often recommend these treatments during specific times in your treatment plan. Gum reshaping can be beneficial before crown placement or other cosmetic procedures, such as veneers. Sometimes, you need these procedures to balance cosmetics with better oral health. 

Preparing for Veneers and Crowns

Before you get crowns or veneers, your dentist may want to reshape your gum line to improve the final results. They may need more visible space to work with when placing crowns or veneers, and removing extra gum tissue makes that happen. 

If you’ve had issues with oral hygiene or gum disease, your dentist may want to reduce all possible risk factors before placing crowns or veneers. Gum contouring and crown lengthening benefit not just your look but also your dental health. 

Managing Gum Overgrowth

Gum tissue can grow in excess due to medications you’re taking or genetics. Sometimes, gum overgrowth simply runs in families and happens unexpectedly. Procedures like gum contouring help manage this overgrowth and preserve your smile at the same time. 

Transforming Your Look With a Smile Makeover

Full smile makeovers are some of the best transformations in cosmetic dentistry. Treatments like crown lengthening and gum contouring are part of the process for many patients. By revealing more of each natural tooth, your dentist can transform your smile for the better. 

Book a smile makeover with a top cosmetic dentist near Lake Hefner.

Gum contouring and crown lengthening treatments offer subtle changes with big visual impacts. Simple, small changes can make all the difference in how you view your smile. 

Are you looking for a dentist near Lake Hefner? You’re in the right place. At Lake Pointe Dental Group, we perform transformative smile makeovers to increase your confidence and improve your oral health. Contact us to find out whether reshaping your gums is the next step in your smile journey!