Crown Lengthening
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
An uneven gum line or excess gum tissue can make some people feel self-conscious about their smile. When too much gum shows, the teeth may appear shorter or smaller than they actually are. As a result, some people may avoid smiling altogether, which can sometimes give others the wrong impression.
Fortunately, a gummy smile or uneven gum line can often be treated with crown lengthening. This procedure removes excess gum tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of bone around the upper teeth to create a more natural balance between the teeth and gums. In addition to improving the appearance of the smile, crown lengthening can also provide better access to a tooth if it develops decay, becomes fractured, or requires restorative treatment.
At our office, we use techniques designed to make crown lengthening as comfortable and minimally invasive as possible. To learn more about crown lengthening and the other services available through our practice, please explore the information below. To schedule an appointment, contact our Rockwall office at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Crown Lengthening
More About the Procedure
Before the crown lengthening procedure can begin, an evaluation will be necessary, during which we will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your gummy smile (if any) and determine whether crown lengthening is the best option for you. We like to refer to this consultation as a “smile analysis” to gather all the important information to prepare for the crown lengthening.
The crown lengthening procedure will begin with the administration of a local anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any discomfort during the appointment. We also offer several different dental sedation options, including oral and IV sedation, to ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. Once you are ready, we will begin making small incisions that will enable us to tease the gums away from the teeth in order to remove the excess tissue and bone. We will remove the bone using a piezo ultrasonic surgery unit, which uses micro-vibrations to gently cut away the bone without damaging the gum tissue. We will remove excess gum tissue and recontour your gum line until the optimal shape and position are reached without removing too much tissue as to compromise the health of your teeth.
Once the desired ratio of gums to crown is met and the procedure is completed, you can immediately begin to enjoy your new, balanced, beautiful smile. The results are immediate and can make a huge difference in your smile.
The crown lengthening procedure can typically be completed in about one hour.
Crown Legthening
Other Reasons
Although crown lengthening is often done for cosmetic purposes, functional crown lengthening may also be performed when a tooth fractures, has too much wear, or develops decay and requires a dental crown. To adequately support a crown, a tooth requires a sufficient amount of exposed natural tooth. Patients whose gum line is too high will experience pain and irritation to the gum tissues if the crown is placed. A crown lengthening procedure will help to avoid this and allow the crown to be placed successfully without any discomfort.
Crown lengthening can also be performed when a cavity develops under the gumline. It is difficult to fill these cavities if there is not enough exposed tooth surface above the gum tissues. Following a crown lengthening procedure, a filling can easily be placed to repair the cavity.
Crown Legthening
Worth The cost?
When patients are considering having crown lengthening performed as a cosmetic treatment, they may be uncertain whether the procedure is worth the cost and time involved, especially if the procedure is not covered under the dental insurance plan. If you are wondering whether or not to pursue a crown lengthening procedure, it may be helpful to consider the many benefits you will enjoy following the procedure, such as:
- Restores optimum position for beauty
- Reduces risk of tooth decay
- Improves your oral health
- Immediate and long-lasting results
- Minimally invasive
- Can usually be completed in one visit
- Zero contraindications
- One of the most affordable cosmetic treatment options
- Increased self-confidence in your smile
A smile is a universal symbol of joy and a powerful form of non-verbal communication that transcends language barriers and enhances feelings of positivity, optimism, and motivation. Following your crown lengthening procedure, you can enjoy a renewed sense of confidence knowing that your smile conveys friendliness, sincerity, and joy.
Crown Legthening
Associated Costs
The cost of crown lengthening will largely depend on how many teeth require contouring and whether any additional procedures are being performed. If crown lengthening is being performed as part of periodontal treatment, it may be covered under insurance plans. If the procedure is cosmetic, costs may not be covered.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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