Crown Lengthening in West Brattleboro, VT

Our board-certified Dental Health team is experienced in crown lengthening to improve the overall look and health of your smile. Crown lengthening can be a confusing term to some since it sounds like it involves making the tooth longer. A more accurate term would be crown exposure since gum tissue is removed to reveal more of the tooth. You may consider crown lengthening for cosmetic reasons if you want to correct a "gummy" smile. It could also be performed if not enough of your tooth is visible to support a filling, dental crown, or other restoration. To learn more, schedule a consultation at Dental Health in Brattleboro, VT.

Candidates for crown lengthening are in good general health, especially when it comes to their gums. Conditions like periodontal (gum) disease may need to be treated before crown lengthening is performed. Most often, crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons to correct a "gummy" smile. In these instances, excess gum tissue can be removed to improve the ratio of visible enamel to gums and give you a higher, more even gumline. However, crown lengthening can also be needed to perform a restoration. The Dental Health team may need to reveal more of the tooth in order to place a crown, bridges, or filling.

Before the procedure starts, a local anesthetic is used to numb the needed areas to make the process more comfortable. You may discuss other sedation methods with our team during your consultation to help keep you calm and comfortable during the procedure. After your mouth is prepared, a small amount of the gum tissue is removed at a time to gradually reveal more of the teeth, and the gumline will be shaped for an even look. When our team has completed the crown lengthening procedure, we will seal the gum tissue to stop bleeding and clean your mouth.

After your crown lengthening procedure, your mouth may be sore and swollen. Cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers can usually be used to minimize your discomfort, but the Dental Health team may prescribe pain medication and/or antibiotics. You may want to follow a liquid or soft food diet for several days as your gums heal. You should carefully clean your mouth with mouthwash and soft brushing but avoid flossing. You may need to schedule a follow-up appointment at Dental Health to monitor your healing. Our team will also continuously check your gums and oral health at your annual dental exam.

The cost of a crown lengthening procedure may vary depending on why the treatment is being performed. Dental insurance providers may cover a portion of the cost in some situations, but they may not. In any event, our financial team will contact your provider to determine what your out-of-pocket costs will be before discussing your options for payment. If you don't have dental insurance, our staff will help estimate your costs during your consultation and give you more information on low-interest medical financing that can help make your dental treatments more affordable.

To transform your smile or restore your mouth, learn more about crown lengthening at Dental Health. By removing gum tissue, you'll be able to improve the appearance of a "gummy" smile or prepare your teeth for a restoration. Schedule a consultation with the Dental Health team to decide if you are a candidate for cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening at our office in Brattleboro, VT.