Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening surgery involves removing gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of a tooth. It is done for therapeutic and sometimes cosmetic reasons to correct a gummy smile. This will expose more of the natural tooth structure, and the treatment can be carried out for several different reasons.
A healthy smile is often associated with straight, white teeth. Realistically, an award-winning smile begins with healthy gums. When we think about an impressive smile, usually it is the shape of the teeth, the color, proper alignment, the health, and more is what comes to mind. While our gums, however, are an incredibly important part of our smile as well. If you unintentionally show too much gum when you smile, it can make your face appear longer or make your teeth seem smaller. The proportions of your smile can be corrected to provide a more uniform and balanced look.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation regarding crown lengthening for you. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
Are You a Candidate for Crown Lengthening?
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your gummy smile you can be a candidate for this treatment. A development of excess gum tissue or an uneven gumline can negatively affect your smile. Our professional team will reshape, also known as gum contouring, your gum line to shorten the excess gum tissue and increase the length of your teeth and can help in treating a gummy smile or uneven smile. Here are a few restorative reasons as well:
- Your tooth may have broken off at the gumline.
- A crown or filling has fallen off, and there is decay underneath.
- Your gumline extends too far along your tooth for it to receive the restorative treatment it needs.
- Your tooth structure is not strong enough for restoration.
Another reason a gummy smile occurs is if you have an overactive upper lip. The muscles associated with this part of your mouth can pull the upper lip higher than where it normally should be. While this does not necessarily mean you have a gummy smile, it can give the illusion that you do. Nonetheless, this can also be treated with a crown lengthening procedure.
A gummy smile may be caused by how the jawbone was initially developed. If the upper jawbone bulges out more than it normally should, it can appear to give you a gummy smile. While this is not something that can be initially prevented, it can cause an improper bite and affect long-term health.
The Crown Lengthening Procedure
Our detail conscious team will examine your smile first to identify the extent of the gum tissue and identify the proportions or balance of gum to teeth ratio with your smile. A digital or traditional form of an impression will also be taken to determine specific details per tooth as well as diagnostic photographs. X-rays will be taken to identify the condition of your bones and roots below the surface of the gums. This examination is needed to ensure your oral health and you have the adequate amount of healthy jawbone and tooth roots available for the procedure to be performed. Extensive planning yields favorable results.
Dr. Crystal Dental usually performs crown lengthening with the administration of a local anesthetic or an additional dental sedation if beneficial. The duration of your crown lengthening procedure will depend on how many teeth are being treated and whether any bone needs to be removed along with the soft tissue. It will also depend on whether our team uses a laser for the treatment or a surgical scalpel. Once we reached an aesthetically pleasing crown length, the treated area is cleaned, restored, and the procedure is completed.
Excessive gums, more commonly known as a gummy smile, can be treated quickly and painlessly. We often use a process called laser therapy that will provide you with a comfortable procedure.
If a laser is indeed used for your treatment, it is pointed directly at the excess gums for removal. The laser does not produce any heat or vibration, making it an easy and painless treatment. The laser also seals the blood vessels instantaneously resulting in less bleeding or swelling.
During your crown lengthening procedure, excess gum and bone tissue are removed and reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. If a surgical scalpel is used, sutures are used to close the gingival tissue around the tooth, and a band-aid material is placed around the tooth to allow this tissue to heal correctly.
The method crown lengthening procedure done at Dr. Crystal Dental is planned specifically for you and your particular treatment goals.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
Crown Lengthening Aftercare
Full crown lengthening recovery will take one week for initial healing, and several weeks for full healing after treatment. Timeframe for healing will depend on method and extent of treatment and you will be advised at your appointment what you can expect. You may begin eating soft foods and returning to work the day after your crown lengthening surgery and the gums will look normal after one week. Continued healing takes place after the next few months. You will need to avoid strenuous activity for two to three days.
During your crown lengthening recovery, we will provide you with complete instructions on how to treat your surgery site. After the anesthesia has worn off, you may feel some discomfort that is comfortably managed with over the counter medication, rinses, and proper home care. It will be best to follow a soft diet for the first few days to allow for proper healing. You can use an ice pack for a few days, if necessary, avoid hot foods. We will also advise you on brushing and flossing during your healing period. You will also be scheduled for a post operative visit to monitor your healing and results.
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment to evaluate if you might benefit from a crown lengthening treatment. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.