Signs Crown Lengthening Could Rescue a Failing Dental Crown

Stop a Failing Crown Before It Becomes an Emergency

A dental crown that starts to act up rarely fixes itself. If a tooth feels sore when you bite, or a crown is sensitive or loose, that is your mouth signaling something is wrong beneath the surface. These little twinges can be sharper and harder to ignore if conditions make your teeth more sensitive.

Many people think that if a crown fails, the tooth is done and must be removed. That is not always true. In some cases, a procedure called crown lengthening can expose more healthy tooth so a new crown can grab on and seal properly. Instead of going straight to extraction and an implant, your general dentist and a periodontist may be able to rescue the tooth.

In this article, we will walk through the common signs of a failing crown, explain what crown lengthening really is, and show when it might be the right step to protect your tooth before the problem turns into an emergency.

How Crowns Fail and When You Should Worry

Crowns are designed to last for many years, but they are not invincible. Over time, things can happen around or under a crown that cause it to fail.

Common reasons a crown can fail include:

• Decay sneaking under the edge of the crown  

• Cracks in the natural tooth under the crown  

• Loose or poorly fitting crown margins  

• Gum recession exposing the edge of the crown or root surface  

You might notice early warning signs like:

• Aching or sharp pain when you bite or chew  

• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers  

• Food constantly catching around the crown  

• A bad taste or odor that does not go away with brushing  

• A dark line or shadow at the gumline around the crown  

These changes are not just annoying. If they are ignored, decay can spread deeper, cracks can grow, and gums can become inflamed. That can lead to:

• Pieces of tooth or crown breaking off  

• Infection in the tooth or surrounding bone  

• The need for more complex treatment, like root canal therapy or tooth removal  

This is why early evaluation by a specialist office that focuses on periodontal care and dental implants can be so helpful. Catching a failing crown early often gives you more options.

What Crown Lengthening Actually Does for Your Tooth

Crown lengthening sounds like it makes your crown taller, but it actually focuses on your gum and bone around the tooth. It is a precise periodontal procedure where we gently reshape the gum tissue, and sometimes the bone around the tooth, to uncover more of the natural tooth structure.

There are two main types of crown lengthening:

• Esthetic crown lengthening, used to reduce a “gummy smile” and show more tooth when you smile.  

• Functional crown lengthening, used when decay, fracture, or an old crown margin sits too far under the gumline.

In this article, we are talking about functional crown lengthening. When a tooth has deep decay or a crack right at or below the gum edge, there may not be enough healthy tooth visible for a secure crown. By lowering the gumline and reshaping the bone, crown lengthening can:

• Reveal solid tooth structure that was hidden below the gum  

• Give your dentist enough room to place a well-fitting crown  

• Help create a smoother, more cleansable margin around the tooth  

In many cases, this turns a tooth that seemed hopeless into one that can support a strong, long-lasting crown. That can delay or even avoid the need for extraction and an implant, at least for a number of years.

Clear Signs Crown Lengthening Could Save Your Crown

So how do you know if crown lengthening might be part of the solution for your tooth?

Here are situations where it is commonly recommended:

• Your old crown has decay under the edge that extends below the gumline  

• A crown keeps loosening or falling off because there is not enough tooth to hold it  

• There is a fracture at or just below the gum edge  

• The margin of a crown cannot be sealed without hitting the gum  

From a clinical point of view, your dentist or periodontist may notice:

• Very little healthy tooth visible above the gumline  

• Crown margins that are too deep to keep clean  

• Deep pockets where bacteria collect and are hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss  

You might be feeling:

• Ongoing soreness around the gum of one crowned tooth  

• Bleeding when brushing only in that area  

• A crown that feels “taller” or different when you bite

When what you are feeling matches what we see on exam and on X-rays, crown lengthening often enters the conversation. Asking whether crown lengthening could help gives your dental team a chance to explain options before you head into a busy spring or summer season with a tooth on the edge of failing.

The Crown Lengthening Process at a Specialist Office

At a specialist office that focuses on gums and implants, crown lengthening is planned carefully with your general dentist.

The process usually includes:

• Evaluation and imaging, including X-rays and often 3D imaging to see the tooth, roots, and bone clearly  

• Discussion with your general dentist so everyone agrees on the plan for the new crown  

• Local anesthesia so the area is fully numb during the procedure  

• Precise reshaping of the gums, and when needed, the bone around the tooth  

• Temporary protection of the tooth while the area heals  

Comfort is a common concern, and that is very understandable. During the procedure, local anesthesia helps keep you comfortable. For patients who feel anxious, offices like ours may offer sedation options, which can also be discussed ahead of time. After the procedure, we provide:

• Clear instructions on caring for the area  

• Guidance about eating and cleaning while the gums heal  

• Tips for staying comfortable in the cold, dry Colorado air, which can sometimes make healing tissue feel more sensitive

Healing times can vary, but the gums usually need several weeks to settle into their new position before a final crown is placed. This waiting period helps ensure the new crown margin sits right where it should and that it is easier for you to keep clean for the long term.

When to Choose Crown Lengthening Versus Dental Implants

Crown lengthening and dental implants have different goals.

• Crown lengthening aims to keep your natural tooth so it can hold a new or replacement crown.  

• Dental implants replace a tooth that cannot be predictably saved.

Deciding between them depends on several factors:

• How much solid tooth is left above the bone  

• Whether the tooth is a front tooth or a back chewing tooth  

• The health of the surrounding gums and bone  

• The long-term outlook for the tooth even after treatment  

Sometimes, even with crown lengthening, a tooth may not have a strong future. Other times, a well-planned crown lengthening and new crown can give a tooth many more useful years. This is where a periodontist’s evaluation is so important. Because our specialty office in Fort Collins provides both advanced periodontal care and dental implants, we can look at the full picture and help you and your general dentist weigh which option is likely to serve you better over time.

Protecting your smile is not about choosing the most dramatic treatment. It is about choosing the right treatment at the right time, before a small problem turns into an urgent one.

Restore Comfort And Confidence In Your Smile Today

If you are ready to address a “gummy” smile or prepare for a long-lasting restoration, our team at Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants is here to help. Learn how crown lengthening can improve both the health and appearance of your teeth with a personalized evaluation and treatment plan. We will walk you through every step so you know what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. To schedule an appointment or ask questions, please contact us today.