Smile Design Cases
Case 17
Gummy smile treatment with crown lengthening
Gummy smile treatment with Laser gum contouring and replacing old porcelain fused to metal crowns with all-ceramic crowns
Digital Smile Design Planning of the Smile Transformation Patient
Mrs. C. came to my Dental Clinic with cosmetic dentistry concerns. Her first concern was her gummy smile. She was showing excessive gum tissue. She also had old porcelain dental crowns, which were porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
​
She heard that I was providing smile makeover treatments with Digital Smile Design protocol. With the support of this comprehensive dentistry protocol, we can help patients with different issues by providing different solutions. For example, while some needs a single veneer to achieve the smile harmony, others may need multiple dental crown, veneers, and dental implants.
​
To properly fix a gummy smile issue, we need to diagnose the reason behind the problem properly and precisely. Mrs. C.'s issue was not about excessive movement of her upper lip. That's why a gummy smile botox treatment would be unnecessary. We don't want to affect her lip movements. In some cases, we might need botox applications instead of gum contouring procedures.
Digital Smile Design Planning of the Smile Transformation Patient
In her case, we started the process with Digital Smile Design Protocol. We took pictures, videos and impressions of smile and started the DSD. Even without the design, I could see that a laser gum contouring procedure will be involved. The amount of soft tissue and hard tissue (gum and bone) needed to be adjusted, the number of teeth was going to determine the type of esthetic crown lengthening.
​
In her Smile Makeover, the most significant issue was teeth proportions. She had short teeth, and they were squarish. I needed to make them longer. She was showing enough incisal edge on the front teeth. I didn't want to make them longer to the incisal edge. So I had to perform a crown lengthening procedure.
Before Gummy Smile Surgery - With old Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
Before going any further, I want to answer some frequently asked questions about Crown Lengthening Procedure.
-
How much is crown lengthening for one tooth?The crown lengthening surgery cost for one tooth depends on the extent of the work being done. For example, laser gum contouring in Toronto can cost you $50-$350 per tooth. However, if the procedure involves removing excess gum around several teeth, you can pay $1,000 or more.
-
How long does crown lengthening take to heal?After a gummy smile surgery, recovery time depends on the patient and the type of Gummy Smile gum correction we provide. Although gum contouring recovery time is five to seven days, achieving stability on the surgical site can take weeks to 3-4 months. As a cosmetic dentist, I want stability in my treatments. I don't want to see any recession or relapse on my crown lengthening treatments. We should respect tooth structure and soft tissue. Good things take time so does gum contouring healing.
-
Will gums grow back after crown lengthening?Yes, they can. If we don't respect biological length and thoroughly plan the crown lengthening procedure, gums will likely grow back. That's why we need to be sure about our treatment options and wait for the healing period. On the other hand, you need to choose a Toronto Dentist with expertise.
-
Do you have gummy smile treatment before and after pictures?I have hundreds of similar documented cases. We are trying to find time to publish them on www.torontosmiledesign.ca and Instagram @torontosmiledesign regularly. You can check the ones we posted below and on our Smile Design Gallery.
-
How painful is a crown lengthening procedure?Nearly all of my patients state that post-operative sensitivity after gummy smile gum surgery is mild. Most of them say that they didn't need a pain killer. After a gummy smile makeover involving bone tissue, an ice pack (application of cold) application over the cheeks and lips helps with pain and swelling problems. We can say that crown lengthening procedure pain is the least of our concerns.
-
Are gummy smiles unattractive?Personally, suppose the teeth alignment is perfect. In that case, periodontal tissues (gum tissue) are healthy, proportions of the crowns are ideal, and the patient doesn't need teeth whitening; I think a moderate gummy smile looks attractive. The thing that makes Gummy Smile unattractive is seeing every possible issue that might look unattractive. If every aspect of the upper teeth is beautiful, why would it look unattractive? There are a lot of Gummy Smile Celebrities who are really attractive.
-
Is Crown lengthening worth it?It would be best if you decide by checking previous treatment before after pictures below. However, as a Toronto Cosmetic Dentist and Oral Surgeon with years of expertise in smile makeovers, I can say that it is worth it. Most of my cases involve some gum contouring because pink aesthetics is as important as white aesthetics for achieving harmony of perfect smiles.
-
Are you awake during crown lengthening?I know it sounds scary to hear the word "Surgery," but it is a minimally invasive treatment, and most of the time, it takes 30minutes to one hour to finalize the Crown Lengthening procedure. Patients are always fully frozen, and it is a pain-free treatment. Technically, there is no difference between a basic filling and crown lengthening procedure for a patient. However, dental anxiety is a real issue, and if a patient is anxious, we recommend sedation.
Before Digital Smile Design Mock-up
With Digital Smile Design Mock-up
With the information I gathered from the intraoral examination and Digital Smile Design planning, I need to adjust both soft tissue and hard tissue (gums and bone). Initially, I need to start with laser gum contouring and bone adjustment with piezosurgery. Then, following crown lengthening, I need to change upper and lower porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with all-ceramic dental crowns.
Before Digital Smile Design Mock-up
With Digital Smile Design Mock-up
However, I need to make sure my patient likes our treatment plan and smile design. With Digital Smile Design, we have the opportunity to show the final outcome of our treatment before we start the treatment.
I create a 3D smile prototype with precise measurements and use 3D Printers to fabricate our smile design. Using this 3D model, I transfer this new Smile to my patient's mouth. We call this process "Mock-up". With mock-up, we can assess our design and show the final outcome in a before-after setting. Then, if our patient likes it, we can start the treatment.
Before Smile Makeover
After Smile Makeover
Mrs.C. loved the mock-up and wanted to move forward. I changed the gum line with the crown lengthening procedure with bone adjustment and waited three months for gum contouring recovery.
After waiting for three months with temporary crowns looking exactly like final crowns, I provided final dental crowns on upper and lower teeth. Mrs.C. was amazed by the result. I hope you like it too.
Before Gummy Smile Surgery - With old Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
After Gummy Smile Surgery and All-Ceramic Dental Crowns
Before Gummy Smile Surgery - With old Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
After Gummy Smile Surgery and All-Ceramic Dental Crowns
After Crown Lengthening Procedure - With all-porcelain dental crowns
Before Smile Makeover
After Smile Makeover
Before Smile Transformation
After Smile Transformation
Before Smile Transformation
After Smile Transformation
Smile Transformation with Final Dental Crowns after Crown Lengthening Procedure
Quality Control With Mock-up and Final Result
Smile is a dynamic process, and we need to plan everything using high-end digital dentistry tools. To enjoy all the benefits that cosmetic dentist Toronto Dr.Johnson provides, choose Toronto Smile Design Clinic. Dr.Johnson has years of experience in crown lengthening procedures, porcelain crowns and comprehensive smile rehabilitation cases. He designs new smiles with a fully digital dentistry approach. If your looking for "Crown Lengthening Near Me" in Toronto, you can rely on Toronto Smile Design to restore your perfect smile. To see your "Smile Design Test Drive," contact us today!
​
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” ―Mark Twain
​
