Crown Lengthening in Little York Houston

Creating a beautiful smile is not always as simple as whitening or straightening your teeth. Excess gum tissue can make it difficult to show off your sexy smile. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are experienced in performing crown lengthening to improve your smile and oral health. Crown lengthening (despite the name) does not actually involve making the tooth itself longer. A more accurate term would be "crown exposure” since gum tissue is removed to reveal more of the tooth, making it appear longer. We may recommend crown lengthening for cosmetic reasons or as a necessary procedure if not enough of your tooth is visible to support a filling, crown, or other restoration. To find out if crown lengthening could help improve your smile or oral health, schedule a consultation at MINT dentistry in Houston, TX.

Candidates for crown lengthening have good oral health, especially the gums. Conditions like periodontal (gum) disease need to be treated before crown lengthening is performed. Most often, crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons to correct a "gummy" smile. In these cases, excess gum tissue can be removed to improve the ratio of visible enamel to gums and give you a higher, more even gumline. However, crown lengthening may also be needed to perform a restoration. A MINT dentistry professional may need to reveal more of the tooth to place a filling, crown, or bridge. During a consultation at our well-appointed facility, a board-certified dental professional will assess your condition and medical history to determine if crown lengthening will help meet your aesthetic goals.

All dentistry procedures at MINT dentistry begin with our compassionate team ensuring you are entirely at ease. Our well-appointed treatment rooms feature flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you remain relaxed during your procedure. Before the lengthening treatment starts, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry is also equipped with many sedation dentistry options. These options will be discussed in advance at your consultation. After your mouth is prepared, our team will begin to remove a small amount of the gum tissue slowly and gradually to reveal more enamel and an even gumline. When we have completed the crown lengthening procedure, we will seal the gum tissue to stop bleeding.

If sedation was used during your procedure, you will need to have a responsible adult drive you home. Your mouth may be sore and swollen following this procedure. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers can usually be used to minimize your discomfort. In some cases, we may prescribe pain medication and/or antibiotics. We recommend you eat soft, mild food and drink lots of water for the first several days after crown lengthening. You should carefully clean your mouth with mouthwash and gentle brushing. Avoid flossing your teeth until a team member says it is safe to do so. A follow-up appointment at MINT dentistry will be scheduled so our team can monitor your healing.

The cost of a crown lengthening procedure will vary depending on the primary reason the procedure is being performed. Dental insurance providers may cover a portion of the cost of the procedure in some situations. Our dedicated support staff will contact your provider to determine what your bill will be before discussing your options for payment. If you don't have dental insurance, the MINT dentistry support staff will help estimate your costs during your consultation. We can also give you information on low-interest medical financing that can help make your dental treatments more affordable. If you cannot afford your dental care and do not have dental insurance, ask us about our MINT Discount Plan. We look forward to helping you achieve a smile you love.

To transform or restore your smile, consider crown lengthening at MINT dentistry in Houston, TX. By removing gum tissue, you can improve the appearance of a "gummy" smile or prepare your teeth for a restoration. Schedule a consultation with a member of the MINT dentistry team to determine if you are a candidate for a cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening treatment.