Crown Lengthening in Lake Worth, TX

Making over your smile isn't always as simple as a whitening treatment or teeth straightening. Overgrown gums can make it difficult to show off your sexy smile. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are skilled in crown lengthening to improve your smile and oral health. Despite its name, crown lengthening doesn't actually make the tooth itself longer. A clearer term would be "crown exposure” since gum tissue is removed to reveal more enamel, making your teeth appear longer. Your MINT dentistry team may suggest crown lengthening to improve the appearance of your smile or if not enough of your tooth is visible to support a tooth-colored filling or restoration (like a crown). To find out if crown lengthening could improve your oral health and appearance, contact us to schedule an initial consultation at our office in Lake Worth, TX.

You may be a good candidate for crown lengthening if you have a healthy mouth, especially the gums. Issues, like gum (periodontal) disease, need to be treated first and then crown lengthening can be scheduled. Most often, crown lengthening is a cosmetic treatment to correct a "gummy" smile. Excess gum tissue can be removed to balance the ratio of visible gums to enamel and give you an even gumline. Crown lengthening may also be required to perform a restoration. We might recommend crown lengthening to reveal more of the tooth to have enough room for a tooth-colored filling, bridge, or crown. During a consultation at our advanced practice, a board-certified dental professional will assess your oral health and medical history to determine if crown lengthening fits your needs and goals.

All dentistry procedures at MINT dentistry begin with our compassionate team making sure you are entirely at ease. Our advanced treatment rooms feature flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you stay relaxed during your procedure. Before the lengthening treatment begins, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry also offers many sedation dentistry options. These options will be reviewed in advance at your initial consultation. As soon as your mouth is prepared, your doctor will carefully remove small amounts of soft tissue at a time to gradually reveal more of your teeth and an even gumline. Once the procedure is complete, your dentist will seal the gum tissue to stop bleeding.

Depending on which sedation method was used, you should arrange for a friend or family member pick you up. Your mouth will probably feel slightly swollen and a little sore after this procedure. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers are recommended to reduce your discomfort. For some patients, your dentist may prescribe pain medication and/or antibiotics. You should eat a soft food diet and drink lots of water after crown lengthening. At home, you should clean your teeth with mouthwash and gentle brushing. You should not floss until your dentist has determined your gums have healed. A second appointment at our office should be made so our team can check to see that your gums are healing properly.

The cost of a crown lengthening procedure will vary, depending on the primary reason the procedure is being performed. Dental insurance providers may cover part of your costs. Our team will speak to your insurance company to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses after any coverage. If you don't have dental insurance, we will estimate your costs in your consultation. We can also give you information on low-interest financing that can help make your care more affordable. If you don't have dental insurance and need help affording your dental care, ask us about the MINT Discount Plan.

Show off more of your sexy teeth with crown lengthening at MINT dentistry in Lake Worth, TX. By removing gum tissue, you can fix a "gummy" smile or make sure you have enough visible enamel for a filling or crown. Schedule an exam and consultation with a member of the MINT dentistry team to determine if your appearance and oral health can be improved with a cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening procedure.