Your smile is our top priority. Not just the health of your teeth but your gums, too. Drs. Meester and Olafsen offer comprehensive dental services to maintain the health of your gums with crown lengthening as well as scaling and root planing. If you have concerns about gum health in San Diego, CA, such as a gummy smile or inflamed, bleeding gums, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a method of removing periodontal tissue to expose the tooth below. This can be very helpful if you have a gummy smile. When excess gum tissue hides a significant portion of your tooth surface, it can cause your teeth to look short and unattractive. Drs. Meester and Olafsen can trim away excess tissue and contour your gums for an even, wider smile. Crown lengthening can also protect teeth from decay by making more of the tooth surface accessible for brushing.

Beyond esthetics, crown lengthening procedures are also incorporated into tooth restoration treatments when a tooth has been broken or has decayed beneath the gum line. To prepare the tooth structure for a crown or a bridge, Drs. Meester and Olafsen will surgically access the tooth through the gums. This also affords them the opportunity to provide space between the new dental crown and the bone, if necessary.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening

  • Improve the look of your gums
  • Protect teeth from decay
  • Prevents a new crown from damaging tissue once it is placed

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical treatment for periodontal disease. In the initial stages of gum disease, the bacteria that live in your mouth infect your gum tissue, causing inflammation and bleeding when you brush. Scaling and root planing is a method of deep cleaning your mouth to remove plaque and calculus, and also smooth the tooth surfaces. Scaling and root planing performed at regular intervals can also maintain gum health. If you have been previously treated for gum disease, Drs. Meester and Olafsen may recommend this treatment every three to four months to help you avoid re-occurrence.