Crown Lengthening Washington, DC

Making over your smile isn't always as easy as whitening or straightening your teeth. Excess gum tissue can make it difficult to show off your sexy smile. The board-certified doctors at MINT dentistry are skilled in performing crown lengthening to improve your oral health and smile. Crown lengthening (despite the name) does not actually make your teeth longer. A more accurate name would be "tooth exposure” because excess tissue is eliminated to reveal more of the tooth, making it look longer. Your MINT dentistry team may suggest crown lengthening as part of a cosmetic treatment plan or as a necessary procedure if not enough of your tooth is visible to support a restoration or filling. To find out if crown lengthening in Washington, DC could improve your oral health and appearance, contact us to schedule an initial consultation with a board-certified team member at MINT dentistry.

Ideal candidates for crown lengthening should have good oral health, especially the gums. Otherwise, issues like gum (periodontal) disease will need to be addressed before crown lengthening is performed. Typically, crown lengthening is a cosmetic treatment to improve a "gummy" smile. In these cases, excess gum tissue can be removed to improve the amount of enamel compared to the gums for an even gumline. However, crown lengthening might also be required to complete a restoration. Additionally, one of our dental professionals might recommend crown lengthening to reveal more enamel to have enough room for a filling, crown, or bridge. During a consultation at our modern MINT dentistry facility, a board-certified dentist will assess your condition and medical history to decide if crown lengthening is right for you.

Your crown lengthening treatment will begin with our compassionate team making sure you're comfortable. Our well-appointed treatment rooms all have flat-screen televisions, Beats headphones, and MINT sunglasses to help you remain relaxed throughout your treatment. Before the lengthening treatment starts, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area to minimize discomfort. MINT dentistry in Washington, DC is also equipped with several sedation dentistry options, which we will discuss at your initial consultation. After you are ready, your doctor will carefully remove small amounts of soft tissue at a time to gradually reveal more of your teeth with a higher, even gumline. When we have completed the crown lengthening procedure, we will seal the gum tissue to stop bleeding.

After the procedure, if you received sedation, you should arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. Your mouth may be swollen and sore after crown lengthening. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers can usually be used to minimize your discomfort. For some patients, we may write you a prescription for antibiotics and/or pain medication. It's best to eat soft, mild food and drink lots of water for about 3 – 5 days after your treatment. You should carefully clean your mouth with gentle brushing and mouthwash. You should not floss your teeth until your dentist has determined your gums have healed. A second appointment at MINT dentistry should be made so we can check to see that your gums are healing properly.

Your cost for a crown lengthening treatment will depend on many factors, particularly the reason it is being performed. Dental insurance providers may pay some of your costs in some situations. Our team will reach out to your provider to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses after any coverage. For patients who don't have dental insurance, the MINT dentistry support staff will estimate your costs during your consultation. We can also give you information on financing that can help make your dental treatments fit into your budget. If you don't have dental insurance and need help affording your dental care, ask about the MINT Discount Plan. We make it our mission to make achieving a smile you love affordable.

Remove excess gum tissue to reveal your best smile with crown lengthening in Washington, DC. By removing gum tissue, you can improve a "gummy" smile or prepare your teeth for a restoration. Schedule an exam and consultation with a board-certified doctor at MINT dentistry to find out if your smile could be improved with a restorative or cosmetic crown lengthening treatment.