TL;DR
After a crown lengthening procedure, expect mild swelling, tenderness, and sensitivity for several days while the gums settle. Follow your after-care plan, eat soft foods, and gradually resume your normal activities. Full healing may take several weeks, but you’ll be back to your smile routine much sooner.
Getting a procedure like crown lengthening is a big step toward improving your smile or preparing a tooth for restoration. If you’re going through this, perhaps under the care of a gum disease specialist, you likely want to know what happens afterward: the recovery period, what the pain feels like, and how healing unfolds. Let’s walk through what to expect in a gum lift surgery!
What Happens Right After the Procedure?
Once you’ve had your crown lengthening, the first few hours matter. Your mouth will be numb from local anesthesia during the procedure; as that wears off, you may begin to feel discomfort. It’s normal to notice some swelling of the gum and facial area, minor bleeding or seepage, and tenderness around the treated spot.
Here are simple steps to support your recovery:
- Rest: Take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- Cold compress: Use an ice pack on your cheek for about 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first day or so to manage swelling.
- Soft foods and easy chewing: Choose gentle meals like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies. Avoid hot, crunchy, or spicy foods that could irritate the surgical site.
- Avoid unusual mouth actions: No straws, no vigorous spitting, and try not to touch or poke the treated area with your tongue or fingers. These could disturb healing.
The Week Ahead: Healing Kicks In
By day 3-7, you’ll likely feel that things are improving. Swelling should lessen, and discomfort tends to fade, though your gums are still healing.
During this stage:
- Continue gentle oral hygiene: You can brush the rest of your teeth normally, but be very gentle around the treated area. Your gum disease specialist might ask you to skip flossing in that immediate zone for a short time.
- Expand your diet slowly: You may move from ultra-soft foods to something more moderate (e.g., scrambled eggs, soft pasta) but still avoid tough, crunchy, sticky items.
- Attend follow-up: Your provider will likely schedule a check-in to assess healing and may remove any stitches or dressings at about one week.
Longer Term: Full Healing & What To Watch
While you’ll feel largely back to normal within a week or two, full healing of gums and bone (if bone was reshaped) can take several weeks to months. Some sources say 4-6 weeks, others note up to 3 months for final gum stability.
Things to keep in mind:
- Sensitivity may linger: Hot, cold, or biting down may still feel odd for a while. This is part of normal healing.
- Longer-looking tooth: If more tooth surface is exposed, your tooth may appear longer. That’s typical for cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening.
- Smoking and alcohol: Both can slow healing and elevate the risk of complications. Best avoided until healing is well underway.
- Signs of trouble: If you see excessive bleeding, swelling that increases after day 3, pus, or persistent severe pain, call your provider. These could signal infection or other issues.
Pain Management
Most discomfort is mild to moderate and manageable with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Your specialist may prescribe something stronger if your procedure was more extensive. Expect the most discomfort during the first 1-3 days, with gradual improvement over time. If pain worsens instead of improving, reach out.
Conclusion
Your recovery from crown lengthening may seem like slow progress at first, but with each gentle step you take (resting, caring for the site, avoiding irritants), it will bring you closer to a healthier, more confident smile. If you ever have concerns, you can consult your gum disease specialist and follow their advice and dental care tips.
FAQs
How soon can I eat normally after crown lengthening?
You can usually eat soft foods as soon as you’re comfortable. The first few days should be soft, cool, and non-irritating. After about a week, you may add more moderate foods, but it’s best to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods near the treated area until your provider says it’s safe.
When can I go back to work or resume exercise?
Many patients feel well enough to do light tasks within a day or two. Avoid heavy lifting or intense exercise for at least 2-3 days, as exertion can raise the chance of bleeding or delay healing. Always follow your gum disease specialist’s advice for your specific situation.
Will the gums “grow back” after crown lengthening?
Healing gums can change slightly, but once the procedure is complete and the bone has been reshaped, if needed, the gum line tends to stay stable. Some minor settling is normal, so your specialist may delay placing final restorations until the tissue is fully stable.
