Like our teeth, our gums are different. Some have an uneven gum line, while others may have a high or low gum line. 

For many people, a perfect smile is the right balance between teeth and gums.

To fix the smile that appears more pink than white, the dentist may offer two procedures–gum contouring or crown lengthening, depending on your needs.

As the purpose of these two treatments overlap, they are often used together.

Today, we will cover the important aspects of these to help you decide on a suitable option.

Also, we will go over the cost of gum contouring in Canada and the factors affecting it.

Read More: Your Guide To Cosmetic Dentistry Cost In Canada: What is the Hollywood Smile Price in Canada?

Crown Lengthening: Describing the Purpose 

A crown is for those whose teeth are fractured, cracked, or deformed. Crowns can also finish dental operations like bridges, root canals, and implants. 

Any treatment involving crowns must ensure that they adhere securely to an existing tooth.

Dental surgeons recontour gum tissue and the underlying bone to expose more of a tooth's surface for a crown. This standard process frequently takes less than an hour to finish. 

This is what a crown lengthening procedure is all about. In the subsequent sections, we will discuss it in detail so that you can fully understand the nuances of the two.

Types of Crown Lengthening Procedure

Professionals may perform this treatment for various reasons, including excessive gum tissue, dental decay or injury, crown-to-root ratio issues, or aesthetics.

1.Surgical Crown Lengthening 

One kind is surgical lengthening, in which removing the gum tissue reveals more of the tooth's natural structure. As per requirement, sometimes, they may remove a tiny part of the bone.

2.Cosmetic Crown Lengthening

This treatment aims to improve the smile's appearance by removing extra gum tissue. 

Despite their differences, these treatment types aim to enhance dental health and provide a beautiful smile.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening 

These are the advantages of this treatment:

1.To Maintain Tooth Structure

If a natural crown has fractured, removing extra gum tissue around the tooth can be essential to repairing it and getting a dental crown if it is still recoverable.

2.Enhance Your Smile 

If your crown is excessively high and conceals your bright teeth, a multi-tooth procedure can smooth out an uneven gum line.

3.Decreased Chance of Dental Decay

Normal gums are less prone than high gums to produce oral health issues, such as tooth decay. The uneven gum line is difficult to brush, making it a better place for bacterial growth.

4.Supports other Dental Devices

The gum line must be at the right level for the gums to adhere to a dental crown, implant, or bridge. 

Additionally, if too much gum tissue comes in the way of the fillings, it will be difficult or impossible to place.

If you want to know more about the teeth replacement options, here is a blog.

5.Makes Tooth Extraction Smooth

Lastly, to provide the safest, quickest, and most straightforward extraction procedure, more periodontal tissue surrounding the tooth must be removed.

Learn more: Tooth Extraction Healing Stages: Tips For Immediate Post-Extraction Care.

Potential Dangers of Crown Lengthening 

It carries a slight risk of infection but no higher risk than other surgical procedures. 

Adhere to the care instructions from the dentists to help avoid infection. 

Following the treatment, you can have bleeding at the surgical site and teeth that are sensitive to heat or cold. 

The sensitivity will subside with time. After bone removal, your tooth may feel loose. 

It may make it more challenging for the surgeon to implant a dental implant if you lose your tooth in the future.

Laser Crown Lengthening: What Is It?

Laser dentistry is used in laser crown lengthening to cure periodontal disease or improve the gum line. 

It uses laser technology to restore function and smiles; that's why it is called laser crown lengthening.

Teeth may appear shorter if your gum line is too low, which can damage your smile and appearance. 

It helps expose the tooth's crown more, making your teeth look larger. If a tooth gets damaged at the gum line, laser crown lengthening can address it.

To solve this problem, professionals may recommend this to smooth down an uneven gum line. 

This treatment can beautifully reshape your gums, highlighting the teeth instead of the gums. 

Laser Crown Lengthening Procedure: 4 Important Steps 

Here are the steps for the crown lengthening treatment: 

Consultation: After examining the structure of your teeth, your dentist will discuss with you the best crown lengthening techniques, depending on your findings. They may suggest a gingivectomy to treat gingivitis. Advanced gum disease may require gingivoplasty or gingival flap surgery.

Sedation: In contrast to conventional surgical crown lengthening, laser gum contouring is rapid and relatively painless. 

However, before cosmetic crown lengthening surgery, your dentist will numb the region being treated using a local anesthetic.

Prior to laser crown lengthening, the gum line should be in the ideal location.

Gum Contouring: During crown lengthening surgery, your dentist will precisely remodel your gums with a laser. The laser focuses on specific regions of the gums, ensuring high precision. 

Using a laser instead of a conventional surgical scalpel reduces the probability of crown lengthening issues and infection symptoms.

After examining your cementoenamel junction (CEJ), the professionals will decide if you are suitable for laser crown lengthening treatments.

Following the Treatment: The professional handling your treatment will guide you on the methods for speeding up the healing process. 

However, as a general rule, you must minimize jaw strain, avoid spicy foods, and brush gently at least after a day of the treatment.

Gum Contouring: What Is It?

A dental practitioner may perform gum contouring to reshape or resculpt your gum line.

During the gum contouring procedure, excess gum tissue surrounding your teeth is trimmed away or removed. 

If you have gum recession, the process also involves repairing the gum tissue.

Gum contouring is an elective treatment, which means that it is not usually a medical necessity. It improves the appearance of the smile, teeth, or gums.

Learn More: Receding Gums Stages: From Mild to Severe

Crown Lengthening Vs. Gum Contouring 

Here is the difference between crown lengthening and gum contouring:

Function

The main purpose of crown lengthening is to ensure the tooth has enough structure for restorative treatments.

Crown lengthening is recommended when additional tooth structure is required to prepare for veneers, crowns, or other restorative procedures.

Meanwhile, gum contouring improves the balance between the gums and teeth to make your smile aesthetically pleasing.

Crown lengthening aims to change the surrounding gum and bone and change the tooth's exposure.

Primary Goal

Gum contouring focuses on redefining and redesigning the gum line to improve appearance.

Gum contouring depends on the patient's aesthetic preferences and concerns about how their smile looks.

On the other hand, crown lengthening addresses problems with tooth structure and is usually advised by medical practitioners.

Crown Lengthening Cost in Canada 

Crown lengthening typically costs $150 to $350 for each tooth, with the total cost ranging from more than $1500 if more teeth are being treated.

Your dental insurance plan may partially cover the price of crown lengthening if it is medically required. However, if it is a cosmetic treatment, it is not covered by dental insurance.

Gum Contouring Cost in Canada 

After learning the details of crown lengthening and gum contouring, let's discuss the answer: How much does gum contouring cost?

The cost of gum contouring in Canada ranges from $300 to $3000, depending on the number of teeth to be treated. 

Factors Affecting Gum Contouring Cost in Canada 

Here are the aspects that affect the gum contouring cost in Canada:

1.Condition of the Affected Teeth 

Your dentist can shape a single tooth, many teeth, or the entire gum line. If you only need to treat one tooth, your cost will be lower. 

If the entire gum line needs to be treated, the surgery will cost significantly more. 

In some circumstances, soft tissue transplants are required to obtain the desired outcome. 

2.Added Steps in the Procedure

Gum contouring is commonly used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures. 

Gum contouring can improve the outcome of porcelain veneers. However, this procedure may incur additional costs, which may increase the cost of the treatment.

3.Use of Anesthesia

In most cases, gum contouring costs include local anesthesia, which is usually enough to keep patients comfortable. 

However, some people have sensitive gums or suffer from dental anxiety. If you are nervous about treatment, you may request a stronger sedative. The cost of gum contouring can fluctuate with the different types of anesthesia.

4.Dentist's Experience

Gum contouring is a precise treatment. A dentist with more expertise in conducting cosmetic gum contouring is more likely to achieve the results you seek. 

However, choosing more experienced dentists can increase the gum contouring cost in Canada. 

How Much Does Laser Gum Contouring Cost

As with many dental procedures, laser gum contouring costs vary based on the dentist and the patient's location. 

On average, it can reach $3000 for the entire gum line across the upper front teeth or $100 to $400 per tooth. 

It is most likely not covered by dental insurance because it is a cosmetic procedure. However, if the dentist thinks it's essential, insurance may cover it. 

Options for Financing

Many third-party financing companies provide unique solutions to assist people in managing their out-of-pocket costs. 

Businesses may provide financing policies with low or no interest. Additionally, your dentist may provide flexible payment options.

To ensure you are getting the best plan for you, discuss all of your financing choices with your dentist's office.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance does not cover gum contouring as a cosmetic procedure. Your provider may pay at least some of the treatment cost if the medical practitioner wants to remove tissue weakened by gum disease.

FAQs

What is the duration of recovery following crown lengthening?

Depending on how extensive the treatment is, recovery may take a few days to a few weeks. The majority of patients may resume their regular activities in a day or two, but it may take many months for the gums to fully heal.

For what reason would I require crown lengthening?

If there is not enough visible tooth to support a dental restoration, like a crown or filling, you may require crown lengthening. 

Will my dental insurance cover crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening coverage varies based on the procedure's purpose.

Contact KWC Dental for Affordable Gum Contouring

These are the popular aesthetic options for creating a more balanced smile. Now that you know these processes and the gum contouring cost in Canada, you can decide how to proceed. 

Before proceeding with your gum contouring procedure, you should talk to your dentist and provider about your coverage plan. 

If you want to know more about the procedures available to achieve a stunning smile, contact the dentists in Kitchener.