Most Insurances Accepted. We Do Not Accept HMO Insurances, but Do Offer Payment Plans.
Most Insurances Accepted. We Do Not Accept Medicaid, State Insurances or HMO Plans, but Do Offer Payment Plans.
Dental Crown Lengthening at Ivanhoe Dental Group
Ivanhoe Dental Group is located in Riverdale, Illinois. Led by Dr. Salem and Dr. Shah, our experienced team of dentists is dedicated to providing excellent dental care, with a focus on precision and aesthetics. Our practice offers a wide range of dental services that will help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. On this page we will discuss one of those procedures and what it might do for you.
What is Dental Crown Lengthening?
The purpose of dental crown lengthening surgery is to expose the natural tooth structure. This is done by removing extra gum tissue and possibly bone if called for. This procedure is often performed to correct a "gummy" smile or to prepare a tooth for restorative treatments, such as placing a dental veneer or crown. Dental crown lengthening improves the aesthetics and functionality of the smile by increasing the visible tooth length.
Understanding the Need for Dental Crown Lengthening
Dental crown lengthening can be a very valuable procedure to improve your smile's overall function and aesthetics. Dental crown lengthening may be necessary for a variety of reasons. This includes the following:
Gummy Smile
A "gummy" smile is a condition where the gums are displayed excessively when a person smiles. It can cause the gums to appear disproportionately large and make the teeth appear short. The dental crown lengthening procedure can reduce the amount of visible gum tissue, revealing the natural tooth structure, which will improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Restorative Dentistry
When a tooth has been fractured, worn down or decayed it may be necessary for dental crown lengthening to expose sufficient tooth structure in order to place a dental restoration. Dental crown lengthening, by removing extra gum or bone, ensures that the restoration is stable and secure. It also increases its effectiveness and longevity.
Orthodontic Treatment
Dental Crown lengthening can be recommended to correct issues like uneven gum lines and inadequate tooth exposure resulting from orthodontic tooth movement. Dental crown lengthening, by removing excess gingival tissue, can facilitate tooth alignment and allow for proper positioning of teeth within the arch. This leads to better orthodontic outcomes and a more pleasing smile.
The Dental Crown Lengthening Procedure
A dental crown lengthening procedure is usually performed by an oral surgeon or periodontist. This procedure aims to expose more of the tooth's natural structure by removing extra gum tissue, and in some cases, bone. This is an overview of what you can expect during a dental crown lengthening procedure:
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Preparation
Your dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of your dental health including digital scans and X-rays to determine the amount of gum and bone tissue around the affected tooth or teeth. A local anesthetic is administered to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
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Incision
After the anesthesia takes effect, the dentist will make small cuts in the gum tissue around the tooth in order to reach the bone beneath. Some cases may require a small amount of bone to be removed in order to achieve the desired results.
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Gum Tissue Removal
Your dentist will remove the excess gum tissue using specialized instruments to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. The amount of gum tissue removed depends on the condition of the gums and the desired result.
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Bone Reshaping (If Needed)
If the gum tissue extends down too far, your dentist might need to reshape it to achieve a better bone-to-tooth ratio. It may be necessary to remove small amounts of bone in order to achieve the desired height or contour.
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Contouring and Shaping
After the height of the gum tissue is adjusted, your dentist contours and shapes the gum line for a natural, pleasing appearance. It may be necessary to sculpt the gum tissue in order to achieve a symmetrical and smooth contour that compliments the teeth.
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Suturing
The gums are repositioned and sutured in place with non-dissolvable or dissolvable sutures. This will promote healing and tissue regeneration. The sutures help to hold the gums into their new position as they heal and integrate into the surrounding tissues.
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Postoperative Care
Your dentist will give you detailed instructions on how to care for the area after the procedure. This includes recommendations for pain management, oral hygiene and dietary restrictions. You may feel mild discomfort, swelling and sensitivity around the treatment area. These symptoms can be treated with cold compresses and over-the-counter medications.
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Follow Up Appointments
If the gum tissue extends down too far, your dentist might need to reshape it to achieve a better bone-to-tooth ratio. It may be necessary to remove small amounts of bone in order to achieve the desired height or contour.
Benefits of Dental Crown Lengthening
Improved Smile Aesthetics
Dental Crown Lengthening can improve the appearance of a smile by creating a balanced and proportionate gingival line.
Improved Restorative Results
By exposing a greater portion of the natural tooth structure to be restored, crown lengthening provides a stable and secure foundation for dental restorations like crowns, bridges or veneers.
Orthodontic Treatment Facilitation
By creating space to adjust and correct teeth, dental crown lengthening may facilitate orthodontic treatment.
Preserving Oral Health
By removing excess gum tissue, you can maintain your oral hygiene more easily and reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Why Choose Ivanhoe Dental Group for Dental Crown Lengthening?
Ivanhoe Dental Group can transform your smile by extending dental crowns. Call us to set up a consultation with one of our dentists.
