Crown Lengthening Joliet, IL

Getting a stunning smile isn't always as easy as a few cosmetic treatments like home or laser teeth whitening. Overgrown gums can hide your sexy teeth. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are skilled in crown lengthening to improve your oral health and smile. Crown lengthening (despite the name) doesn't actually involve making the tooth itself longer. A clearer term would be "crown exposure” because excess tissue is eliminated to show more enamel, making it look longer. Your dentist may recommend crown lengthening as part of a cosmetic treatment plan or, if not enough of your tooth is visible, to support a tooth-colored filling or restoration (like a crown). To find out if crown lengthening could improve your smile or oral health, contact us to schedule an initial consultation at MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL.

Candidates for crown lengthening have a healthy mouth, especially the gums. Conditions like periodontal (gum) disease will be treated first and then crown lengthening can be scheduled. Usually, crown lengthening is a cosmetic treatment to correct a "gummy" smile. In these cases, excess gum tissue can be excised to improve the ratio of enamel to gums, and give you a higher, more even gumline. However, crown lengthening may also be needed to perform a restoration. Your dentist might recommend crown lengthening to reveal more enamel to place a filling, bridge, or crown. In your consultation at our well-appointed MINT dentistry practice, a board-certified dental professional will evaluate your condition to determine if crown lengthening fits your needs and goals.

Every appointment you have at MINT dentistry, including your crown lengthening procedure, will begin with our compassionate team ensuring you are entirely at ease. Our state-of-the-art treatment rooms all have flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you stay relaxed throughout your treatment. Before the process begins, local anesthesia will be applied to your gums. MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL also offers several sedation dentistry choices. These options will be reviewed at your initial consultation. After you are ready, our team will remove a small amount of the gum tissue slowly and gradually to reveal more enamel with a higher, 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 friend or family member take you home. Your mouth will probably feel sore and swollen following crown lengthening. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers are recommended to reduce your discomfort. In some cases, your dentist may prescribe pain medication and/or antibiotics. It's best to stick to a soft-food diet and drink lots of water for about 3 – 5 days after your treatment. You should clean your teeth with gentle brushing and mouthwash. You should not floss your teeth until a team member tells you it's safe. A second appointment at our MINT dentistry office should be scheduled so our team can check your recovery.

The cost of a crown lengthening procedure will vary depending on the primary reason the procedure is being performed. Dental insurance providers may cover a portion of the cost of the procedure. Our team will speak 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 help estimate your costs during your consultation. We can also give you information on financing to help make your care more affordable. If you 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.

Restore and transform your smile with crown lengthening at MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL. By removing gum tissue, you can improve a "gummy" smile or prepare your teeth for a restoration. Schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced, board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry to determine if you're a good candidate for a restorative or cosmetic crown lengthening procedure.