Crown Lengthening in Louisville, KY

Sometimes it may take more than a couple of cosmetic treatments or teeth whitening sessions to revamp your smile. Overgrown gums can hide your sexy teeth. The board-certified dental professionals at MINT dentistry are experienced in crown lengthening to improve your oral health and smile. Crown lengthening (despite the name) does not actually involve making your teeth longer. A more accurate term would be "tooth exposure” because gum tissue is eliminated to show more of the tooth, making your teeth look longer. Your dentist may suggest crown lengthening as part of a cosmetic treatment plan or to expose more enamel so your tooth can support a filling, crown, or other restoration. To get more information on how crown lengthening can improve your oral health and appearance, contact us to schedule an initial consultation at our office in Louisville, KY.

Candidates for crown lengthening should have an overall healthy mouth, especially gums. Conditions like periodontal (gum) disease will be addressed first and then crown lengthening can be scheduled. Usually, crown lengthening is a cosmetic treatment to address a "gummy" smile. The excess gum tissue will be removed to balance the ratio of visible gums to enamel for a higher gumline. Crown lengthening may also be required to place a restoration. We might recommend crown lengthening to expose more of the tooth to place a tooth-colored filling, crown, or bridge. During a consultation at our advanced MINT dentistry facility, a board-certified dental professional will assess your condition to determine if crown lengthening is appropriate.

Before we begin your crown lengthening treatment, we'll help you get comfortable in one of our luxurious treatment chairs. Our state-of-the-art treatment rooms all have Beats headphones, MINT sunglasses, and flat-screen televisions to help you stay relaxed during your procedure. Before the lengthening process begins, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry in Louisville, KY is also equipped with several sedation dentistry choices. Your options and recommendations for sedation will be discussed at your initial 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 of your teeth and an even gumline. Once we have completed the crown lengthening procedure, we will seal the gum tissue to stop bleeding.

If sedation is used during your procedure, a trusted adult will need to drive you home after your appointment. Your mouth may be sore and swollen following this procedure. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers are recommended to reduce your discomfort. Depending on the extent of the procedure, your dentist may write you a prescription for antibiotics and/or pain medication. We recommend you eat soft, mild food and stay hydrated for the first several days after the procedure. You should clean your mouth with mouthwash and gentle brushing. You should not floss your teeth until a team member tells you it's safe. A follow-up appointment at MINT dentistry should be scheduled so our team can check your recovery.

The cost of your crown lengthening procedure will depend on the primary reason it is being done in the first place. If you have dental insurance, it may cover a portion of the cost of the procedure in some situations. We will reach out to your provider to determine what your bill will be before discussing your options for payment. For patients who don't have dental insurance, we will estimate your costs in your consultation. We can also give you information on low-interest financing to help make your care fit into your budget. If you cannot afford your dental care and do not have dental insurance, ask your dentist for more information on our MINT Discount Plan. MINT dentistry is happy to help find ways for our valued patients to get their best smile.

A crown lengthening procedure at MINT dentistry is a wonderful option to remove excess gum tissue to reveal a stunning new smile. When you remove overgrown soft tissue, you can fix a "gummy" smile or prepare your teeth for a restoration. Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced board-certified dentists at MINT dentistry to determine if you are a candidate for a restorative or cosmetic crown lengthening treatment.