Q: I am considering crown lengthening on two of my front teeth. It would be for esthetic reasons, to even out the gum line with the other side where the gums receded post-bone implant surgery.
Even though I think this could potentially help the esthetics, I’m afraid I might make it worse if the gums shrink too much. Is there a normal predictable amount that the gums will typically shrink? Will there be any other bad esthetic effects, such as loss of papillas?
A: Yes…the gum will shrink, but the Periodontist should know exactly how much to remove. The papilla has to be preserved during this surgical procedure to avoid the notorious “black triangle”. If this procedure is done correctly and as conservatively as possible, the esthetic result should be excellent in conjunction with your restorative work for your new implant supported crowns. Please discuss with this with your Periodontist and your restorative dentist if you have any concerns.
