Gingivectomy/Crown Lengthening
What to Do After Gingivectomy or Crown Lengthening
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Gingivectomy removes some of the surrounding gum tissue to expose any portion of the tooth.
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Crown lengthening is done to remove some of the surrounding gum tissue and/or bone, to expose any portion of the tooth to allow for proper restoration.
Soreness is normal; it is advised for the patient to rinse with warm baking soda water every 3 hours for the 3-4 days following the procedure (1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda)
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Over-the-counter pain relievers usually assist with the discomfort. If no allergies, you can take Ibuprofen (Advil) 600mg and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg every 4-6 hours as needed. If the discomfort continues for more than 3-4 days, or if severe pain occurs, call us! It is very important that you take the medication as directed!
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Do not ignore brushing and flossing the area as comfort allows.
Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, very hot or very cold foods or liquids, avoid nuts, chips or other crunchy or fibrous foods which may become caught between your teeth. Avoid alcohol (even beer and wine) and smoking for 1-2 weeks after surgery
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