Why You Shouldn't Go Without a Missing Tooth
If you think a missing tooth is merely a cosmetic problem, think again. In addition to wrecking your smile, that lost tooth wreaks havoc on your oral health. Here’s why you shouldn’t brush it off.
If you weren’t born with perfect teeth, there are several dental and orthodontic procedures that can create the ideal look you want. One little-known treatment solves several different cosmetic and oral health problems at once — crown lengthening.
Dr. Caesar Sweidan and our experienced team here at St. Tammany Periodontics & Implants perform this versatile technique for our patients throughout Covington and Slidell, Louisiana. Here’s a closer look at when crown lengthening is warranted and how you can benefit from it.
The crown of your tooth is the part that shows. The rest is below your gumline. Some people have short gums and a lot of visible tooth surface, but others have a lot of gum tissue covering the surface of their teeth. This makes the teeth appear shorter and makes your smile look gummy.
While crown lengthening can address this cosmetic issue, it’s also the treatment of choice when you have an injury or periodontitis below the gum tissue.
By lengthening the crown, Dr. Sweidan can access the damaged part of your tooth and fix it. He does this by removing excess gum tissue, which reveals more of the tooth’s surface and makes it appear longer.
And if you need an artificial crown to replace a large filling or repair a damaged tooth, crown lengthening may be the first step in getting your tooth ready to receive it, especially if you have short teeth.
Crown lengthening is a dental multitasker that addresses several different problems, and the benefits are undeniable.
If Dr. Sweidan determines you need crown lengthening, you can expect to be in and out of the chair in 30-60 minutes. A local anesthetic keeps the session pain-free and comfortable.
What’s more, crown lengthening only requires one appointment. Once it’s done, it’s done, and you don’t have to make time in your busy schedule for a follow-up visit.
A gummy smile can make you feel self-conscious about opening your mouth to speak or laugh, which is no way to live.
You have a perfectly good set of teeth hiding under your gums, and Dr. Sweidan can reveal it by lengthening the crowns and allowing more of your natural tooth surface to show when you smile. You’ll be amazed at the boost of confidence you get.
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and even overall health issues if it spreads through your bloodstream. Depending on the severity of the infection, the best way to treat it may be to remove the damaged tissue altogether, which is exactly what we do in the crown lengthening procedure.
Dr. Sweidan carefully eliminates the irreversibly damaged gum tissue so you have a better chance at healing fully.
The best part about crown lengthening is that Dr. Sweidan performs it using advanced laser technology. Instead of an old-school scalpel to cut away gum tissue, he uses a state-of-the-art laser to create more precise cuts.
The benefits of laser crown lengthening are many:
After your crown lengthening procedure, you can plan on going back to work or school in a day or two with a noticeably more symmetrical, healthier smile.
To find out if crown lengthening is right for you, call our office today at 985-778-0241 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sweidan, or request a visit through this website.
