Crown Lengthening in Brentwood, MD

Teeth whitening and straightening may not create the beautiful smile you've always wanted. Overgrown gums can hide your sexy teeth. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are experienced in crown lengthening to boost your smile and oral health. Crown lengthening (despite the name) doesn't actually make the tooth itself longer. A clearer term would be "tooth exposure” because excess tissue is removed to reveal more of the tooth, making your teeth appear longer. Your MINT dentistry team may recommend crown lengthening for cosmetic reasons or if not enough of your tooth is visible to hold a restoration or filling. To get more information on how crown lengthening can improve your smile or oral health, schedule an initial consultation at our office in Brentwood, MD.

It is important to have good gum and oral health if you’re considering a crown lengthening procedure. Periodontal disease and other conditions that affect the gum tissue need to be treated before crown lengthening is performed. Usually, crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons to improve a "gummy" smile. Excess gum tissue will be removed to balance the ratio of gums to enamel for an even gumline. However, crown lengthening may also be needed to place a restoration. Your dentist may need to expose more enamel to place a filling, bridge, or crown. In your consultation at our advanced MINT dentistry facility, your dental team will evaluate your oral health and medical history to decide if crown lengthening fits your needs and goals.

On the day of your crown lengthening procedure, your appointment will begin with our compassionate team making sure you're entirely at ease. Our well-appointed treatment rooms all have flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you stay relaxed. Before the treatment starts, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry in Brentwood, MD is also equipped with many sedation dentistry choices. Sedation methods will be discussed at your consultation. After you are ready, our team will carefully remove small amounts of soft tissue at a time to gradually reveal more of your teeth with a higher, even gumline. Once we have completed the crown lengthening procedure, your dentist will stop the bleeding by sealing the gum tissue and then rinsing your mouth.

If you received sedation for this procedure, you should arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up. Your mouth will probably feel swollen and sore after this procedure. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers are recommended to reduce your discomfort. In some cases, we may write you a prescription for pain medication and/or antibiotics. It's best to stick to soft, mild food and stay hydrated for the first several days after crown lengthening. You should carefully clean your mouth with gentle brushing and mouthwash. Avoid flossing your teeth until your dentist tells you it's safe. A follow-up appointment at our MINT dentistry office should be made so we can check to see that your gums are healing properly.

The cost for the crown lengthening treatment will differ based on the reason for the procedure. If you have dental insurance, it may pay some of your costs in some situations. Our team will reach out to 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 estimate your costs during your initial consultation and give you information on medical financing to help make your care more affordable. If you don't have dental insurance and need helping affording your dental care, ask your team about our MINT Discount Plan. We look forward to helping you achieve a smile you love.

Transform your smile and improve your oral health with a crown lengthening procedure at MINT dentistry in Brentwood, MD. By removing soft tissue, you can fix 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 one of our experienced board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry to determine if you are a candidate for a restorative or cosmetic crown lengthening procedure.