Dr. Nicole Mantha is a periodontist who provides patients with cosmetic gum surgery. Cosmetic gum surgery is a procedure that is used to enhance the appearance and overall health of your teeth. It generally involves the removal of excess gum tissue to make the teeth appear larger and less “gummy”. Crown lengthening is the periodontal plastic surgery that Dr. Mantha performs to correct “gummy” smiles.

What is crown lengthening?

The first question most patients would like to know is “what is crown lengthening?” There are two types of cosmetic gum surgery, or crown lengthening, available. The exact procedure you choose will depend on your specific needs:

• What is Esthetic crown lengthening?

Patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile will benefit from esthetic crown lengthening. This is a relatively simple form of cosmetic gum surgery. Excess gum tissue is removed so that the gum line can be reshaped to expose a larger portion of the tooth. The result is a more natural appearance and a wider, more attractive smile. This type of cosmetic gum surgery is used for patients who feel that their smile is too “gummy.”

• What is Functional Crown lengthening?

This type of gum surgery can be used if a tooth is decayed or broken below the gum line. In such cases, it might be necessary to lower the gum line so that a larger portion of the tooth surface is exposed. However, simply reducing the gum line is not enough. The entire gum line and bone structure will need to be reshaped in order to provide room for restoration of the tooth.

What are the benefits of crown lengthening?

Cosmetic gum surgery not only maintains a healthy appearance, but can help maintain and control oral disease. By reducing the height of the gum line, the depth of the periodontal pockets can also be reduced. This means there is less room for bacteria to grow and cause harm. For information about cosmetic gum surgery, contact Dr. Nicole Mantha today.