Industry Leading Periodontist in Sydney
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Specialised Practice
Our practice is limited to the treatment of gums, grafting and dental implants.
Patient Care
Our team is focused on providing a relaxed environment as part of our commitment to patient comfort.
Advanced Treatments
We utilise the latest in both techniques and technology to provide the best possible patient care.
What is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening, also known as a ‘gum lift’, is a surgical procedure designed to expose more of the tooth above the gumline.
This can be for cosmetic reasons to create symmetry at the gum line or to improve the appearance of a “gummy smile”.
It can also be done to expose decay or broken areas of teeth or to expose more tooth structure prior to a crown.
What is a ‘Gummy Smile’?
Excessive Gingival Display, commonly referred to as a ‘gummy smile’, occurs when a disproportionate amount of gum tissue shows above the upper teeth when smiling. This is not a medical problem, but rather a cosmetic concern for some patients.
This may be caused by the way your adult teeth erupted. Your teeth may appear shorter due to the gums covering more of the teeth’s surface when they came in — a condition called altered passive eruption.
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The Procedure
The crown lengthening procedure is carried out under a local anaesthetic, where a small amount of gum tissue is removed to increase the length of your tooth/teeth and reduce the amount of gum display. Some underlying bone reshaping may be required to make sure the gum tissue doesn’t grow back. The amount of gum removal and lengthening of the tooth is usually guided by the final proportions you and your general dentist have agreed on.
Crown lengthening recovery is quite fast and patients can begin eating soft foods and return to work the day after crown lengthening surgery. A review will take place 1-2 weeks later to remove any remaining stiches, with a final review roughly 6-8 weeks after surgery.
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Contact Us
Sydney Periodontics and Dental Implant Centre
02 9221 5499
Level 6, 64 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Opening Hours
8:00am–5:30pm, Monday to Friday by Appointment Only
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