How Much Does Crown Lengthening Cost?
If you suffer from a gummy smile or if you have broken a tooth below the gum line, your dentist may recommend that you undergo crown lengthening surgery. You may also require richmond crown lengthening to prepare a tooth for a dental restoration. In order for dental restorations to set properly on the tooth, an appropriate amount of exposed tooth structure is essential. Without proper tooth structure, your restoration can fall off within a few days or can become a food trap, leading to periodontal disease and decay.
Let’s take a closer look at a few reasons you may require crown lengthening treatment.
- Gummy Smile: Patients that have too much gum tissue exposed when they smile can greatly benefit from crown lengthening. The periodontist will remove and contour excess gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure, giving the patient a bigger and brighter smile!
- Broken or Decayed Tooth: If you break a tooth or fracture it below the gum line, your dentist may advise you to have crown lengthening in order to repair it. A tooth that has a fracture will likely need a crown and when the fracture extends below the gum line, a periodontist can remove overlying gum tissue in order for your dentist to be able to fabricate a crown large enough to keep the tooth together.
It is also possible to develop decay below the gumline in which case the gum tissue will need to be removed in order for your dentist to apply a filling.
Preparing for Crown Lengthening
Your dentist will let you know if you need crown lengthening and will refer you to a periodontist. Your dentist will likely place a temporary crown or other protective restoration to keep the tooth secure until you have crown lengthening.
Upon visiting the periodontist, they will evaluate the area and review your x-rays as well as your medical history to make sure that you can endure surgery and that you do not have any medications that will need to be stopped before surgery.
Cost of Crown Lengthening Procedure
Crown lengthening usually costs between $50 and $350, depending on the extent of treatment. If you have dental insurance, it may help cover some of the cost of treatment if your crown lengthening is deemed medically necessary. In the case of a gummy smile, crown lengthening may be considered cosmetic and will not likely be covered by your dental insurance.
Some dental offices offer in-house financing and payment plans or may use a third-party financing company to help their patients afford treatment.
If you believe you would benefit from crown lengthening surgery, discuss your options with your dentist to be sure that you receive the best treatment possible.