Crown Lengthening in Southwest Houston

Getting a stunning smile is not always as simple as a few cosmetic treatments like home or laser teeth whitening. Excess gum tissue can mask a great smile. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are experienced in 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 soft tissue is removed to reveal more of the tooth, making it seem longer. Your MINT dentistry team may recommend crown lengthening as part of a cosmetic treatment plan or if not enough of your tooth is visible to support a restoration or filling. To find out if crown lengthening could improve your smile or oral health, schedule a consultation at our office in Houston, TX.

You may be a good candidate for crown lengthening if you have good oral health, especially the gums. Periodontal disease and other conditions that affect the gum tissue should be treated before crown lengthening is performed. Usually, crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons to address a "gummy" smile. In these cases, excess gum tissue can be removed to improve the ratio of enamel to gums and give you a higher gumline. However, crown lengthening may also be needed to place a restoration. Your dentist may need to reveal more of the tooth to place a filling, crown, or bridge. During a consultation at our modern practice, a board-certified dentist will assess your condition and medical history to determine if crown lengthening is right for you.

MINT dentistry begins all procedures with our compassionate team ensuring you are entirely at ease. Our well-equipped treatment rooms feature flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you relax. Before the process starts, local anesthesia will be applied to your gums to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry is also equipped with many sedation dentistry choices. Your options and recommendations for sedation will be discussed at your consultation. After your mouth is prepared, our team will carefully remove small amounts of soft tissue at a time to gradually reveal more enamel and an even gumline. When your crown lengthening procedure is done, we will stop any bleeding by sealing your gum tissue.

After the procedure, if you received sedation, you should plan to have a adult pick you up. Your mouth may be slightly swollen and a little sore following this procedure. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers should help to minimize your discomfort. Depending on the extent of the procedure, we may prescribe pain medication and/or antibiotics. It's best to stick to soft, mild food and drink lots of water after your treatment. You should clean your mouth with mouthwash and gentle brushing. Avoid flossing your teeth until a team member has determined your gums have healed. A follow-up appointment at MINT dentistry will be scheduled so our team can check to see that your gums are healing properly.

Total costs for a crown lengthening treatment will vary depending on the primary reason the procedure is being performed. Dental insurance providers may cover part of your costs in some situations. Our team will reach out to your provider to determine your coverage and remaining bill. If you don't have dental insurance, the MINT dentistry support staff will estimate your costs during your consultation. We can also give you information on financing that can help make your dental treatments fit into your budget. If you don't have dental insurance and need helping affording your dental care, ask your team about our MINT Discount Plan. MINT dentistry is happy to help find ways for our valued patients to get their best smile.

Show off more of your sexy teeth with a crown lengthening procedure at MINT dentistry in Houston, TX. By removing gum tissue, you can improve the appearance of a "gummy" smile or get your teeth ready for a restoration like a tooth-colored filling or crown. Schedule an initial consultation with a board-certified MINT dentistry doctor to determine if you're a good candidate a cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening treatment.