Crown Lengthening & Shortening
Your confident smile is our goal. To get it you’ll need healthy teeth and healthy gums, and you’ll need a dentist with cosmetic dentistry expertise – to get the shape, position, and color of your teeth just right for you. Whether you need porcelain veneers or a full-mouth restoration, Dr. Forbes and the team at Capital Dental Design in Richmond can help you every step of the way.
Crown Lengthening and Shortening in Richmond, VA
A bright smile can influence your life in so many ways. For example, it can increase your self-esteem and confidence, which can even impact your career and relationships. A smile you feel confident about can help you feel more at ease, not only with yourself, but with friends and strangers, too. At Capital Dental Design we believe in optimal oral health and the power of your smile as a reflection of your positivity, and a vehicle for joy. If you have a gummy or uneven smile that makes you feel self-conscious, schedule an appointment today to discuss whether crown lengthening and shortening is right for you. This simple procedure can create a harmonious ratio of your gums and teeth that will instill you with newfound confidence. The crown lengthening and shortening procedure can also be performed prior to placement of a dental crown.
As well as helping you realize your aesthetic vision for your idea of a perfect smile, we are also fully committed to helping you develop and maintain a smile that is as radiantly healthy as possible. We want you to feel great with a smile that is both beautiful and structurally sound. To learn more about crown lengthening and shortening, please refer to the following, or schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve patients throughout Richmond and the surrounding area, including neighborhoods like Southampton, Stratford Hills, Westover Hills, Bon Air, Libbie and Grove, Church Hill, The Fan, Westham, Museum District, and Mooreland Farms.
At Capital Dental Design, we are committed to providing you with effective, considerate care and helping you get the bright, beautiful smile you have always wanted!
Your smile is a reflection of your personality. Call capital dental design Today.
804.320.8894
Crown Lengthening and Shortening Process
The crown lengthening and shortening process will begin with an initial consultation, during which Dr. Forbes will evaluate and scan your mouth to determine if crown lengthening and shortening is the right treatment option for you. If so, a local anesthetic will be administered. Dental sedation is also available to ensure you experience minimal discomfort and are able to remain relaxed while the procedure is performed. Once you are comfortable, Dr. Forbes will begin removing small amounts of your gum tissue using a scalpel or laser until the desired gumline is achieved. Crown lengthening and shortening may also be performed as part of placing a dental crown.
Advantages of Crown Lengthening and Shortening
There are several unique and important advantages to crown lengthening and shortening, which include the following:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- One of the safest forms of surgery
- Permanent solution, provided good oral hygiene practices are followed
- Helps fight tooth decay
- Harmonious ratio of gums and teeth, which can increase your confidence, improve your social life, and may even create new professional opportunities
Aftercare Instructions
Aftercare instructions will be provided following your crown lengthening and shortening procedure. It is important to closely follow these and the following instructions to reduce your risk of complications and have a fast recovery period. You may experience some discomfort, which can be managed with OTC pain relieving medication and/or ice packs. If prescribed pain-relieving medication and/or antibiotics, take as directed. Mild bleeding for the first 24-48 hours is also very common and can be managed using gauze and by avoiding hot foods or beverages. It is also important to stick to soft foods and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater following meals to reduce your risk of an infection.
Once you have fully recovered, you can resume normal hygiene practices, although it may be possible that the reason the procedure was necessary in the first place is that you have not been taking proper care of your oral health. Make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and follow a balanced diet that is not overloaded with foods that are sugary or acidic. Additional steps you can take include drinking more water, especially after every meal and using a mouthwash and/or fluoride toothpaste.
Finally, the most important step you can take to preserve your oral health and avoid the need for procedures such as gum contouring is to schedule a regular examination with us at least twice a year, or with greater regularity if you are at an increased risk of developing oral health issues. These visits ensure that Dr. Forbes can evaluate your oral health and identify issues before they develop into something worse. They also allow us to perform one of our three types of dental exams: a limited exam (for specific concerns), comprehensive exam (thorough examination of your overall oral health followed by treatment recommendations), or our signature exam, which includes the comprehensive exam as well as a full head and neck exam and ideas for a Digital Smile Design.
We Create Confident Smiles
At Capital Dental Design, we help you answer “yes” with confidence.
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Cost of Crown Lengthening and Shortening
Several factors will determine the total cost of crown lengthening and shortening, such as the severity of your case, if dental sedation is necessary, and whether the procedure is covered (and if so, how much) by your dental insurance plan. Prior to scheduling any procedure, we will discuss the anticipated costs, verify your benefits (if applicable) to determine out-of-pocket costs, and answer any questions you may have about billing.
If you are not covered under a dental insurance plan, or if you are simply interested in saving money, consider joining the Capital Dental Design Membership Plan. Although we make every effort to keep our services affordable for all patients, joining our membership plan allows us to save you even more money by covering the cost of preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and routine x-rays. We also offer discounts of 10-15% on other dental services offered at our clinic. To learn more about our membership plan, payment options, or anticipated costs, contact our office today!
Call Today to Schedule a Consultation
At Capital Dental Design in Richmond, one of the main things our patients love about us is that we are a patient-centered practice. We treat our patients like family, which means we take the time to understand who you are, your medical and oral health history, and your oral health goals, because doing so allows us to do everything we can to help you and your family reach those goals.
If you have not joined us as a patient yet and/or if you would like to schedule an appointment to determine whether crown lengthening and shortening is right for you, contact us today online or call us directly at (804) 320-8894.
We are here to brighten your smile and provide you with the personalized care you deserve!