Is Crown Lengthening right for You?
If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or teeth that you feel are too small, you may want to consider crown lengthening. Also known as a gum lift, this cosmetic dentistry procedure can beautify your smile by exposing more of your teeth.
“Crown lengthening has been used by dentists for years to improve dental health, but it’s recently been gaining popularity as a cosmetic dentistry technique,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn., and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.
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Find a dentist or an orthodontist in your area.
——————————————————————————–
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is an oral surgery treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue, and possibly some bone, around the upper teeth to make them look longer. It’s a common procedure performed by dentists and periodontists, or gum specialists.
“If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical smile,” says Dr. Harms. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for the cosmetic effect. If there’s decay or fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or porcelain crown.
What Does Crown Lengthening Involve?
Crown lengthening involves oral surgery performed under local anesthesia. After the area is numbed, the dentist or periodontist makes small cuts to pull the gums away from the teeth and remove excess gum. In some cases, removing gum tissue is all that is needed to expose more of the crown. But if there is too much soft tissue and bone covering the crown, a tiny bit of bone may need to be taken out, too. After the surgery is completed, the gums are washed with sterile salt water and stitched up.
Pros and Cons of Crown Lengthening
Although crown lengthening is a common and safe procedure, it does involve surgery, which always has risks. So it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before going under the knife.
Advantages of crown lengthening: Unlike many cosmetic dentistry treatments, crown lengthening only needs to be done once, with no requirement for touch-ups down the road. In addition to creating a wider, more symmetrical smile, crown lengthening can provide some dental care benefits as well. “It can reduce the risk of tooth decay because more of the tooth is exposed for brushing and flossing,” says Harms. The surgery can usually be completed in 30 minutes to an hour.
Disadvantages of crown lengthening: This cosmetic dentistry treatment can be pricey. Expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for crown lengthening. If the procedure is medically warranted, insurance should pick up some of cost, says Harms. As with other types of cosmetic surgery, you may experience swelling and pain afterwards. Recovery can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how extensive the surgery is. Possible complications include excessive bleeding and infection, but these are rare.
Recovery From a Crown Lengthening Procedure
Following surgery, you’ll be given a prescription for a pain reliever and instructed to use ice to reduce any swelling. You’ll want to eat a diet of fairly soft foods and brush your teeth carefully in the area near the stitches, which will come out in 7 to 10 days.
Complete healing of the gums can take up to three months, however. At that point, you may opt to have veneers or another cosmetic dentistry procedure done, such as bonding or tooth whitening.
Is Crown Lengthening Right For You?
If you’ve always been bothered by a smile that shows too much gum, crown lengthening may be worth the cost and the short-term discomfort. But, for people who have wide teeth, crown lengthening could backfire. “You could end up with teeth that look too big,” says Harms. (Some dental practices offer computer imaging, which will show you what the final result will look like.) On the other hand, if you are especially susceptible to tooth decay, crown lengthening can make it easier for you to take proper care of your teeth and perhaps decrease your risk of decay.
If you have excessive or uneven gums, crown lengthening can transform your smile and give you just the right look — and as an added bonus, it may just improve your overall dental health as well.
What Keeps Kristin Chenoweth So Smiley?
Kristin Chenoweth is one busy gal — the sweet-but-spunky Tony- and Emmy-winner has released her new album Some Lessons Learned (“It’s got a country-pop feel,” she says), she just co-hosted and performed at the 2nd Annual American Country Awards, and she’s starring in an upcoming ABC TV series G.B.C. (Good Christian Belles).
But the 43-year-old is also one happy gal. “I’m not saying I’m a spring chicken,” Chenoweth recently told Everyday Health. “I definitely have my down times. But I’ve basically been happy my whole life.”
From the outside looking in, Chenoweth has a lot to be joyful about (the shiny awards on her shelf, for example — and that amazing voice). But beyond the impressive resume, what’s with all the cheeriness? Was she simply blessed with frown-resistant genes?
Perhaps. But Chenoweth also takes some important steps to fight stress and stay upbeat.
Kristin Chenoweth’s ‘Stay-Sane’ Routine
As diehard Cheno fans — the nickname for her fast-growing fan base — will gladly tell you, Chenoweth is a triple threat. She’s a Broadway veteran (which landed her a Tony in 1999 for her role as the leading actress in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown); a TV pro (she recently had a guest spot on Glee and has started filming the upcoming show G.B.C.); and a bona fide songstress (she’s released four albums, including her most recent Some Lessons Learned). Oh, and she has also written a New York Times best-selling book, A Little Bit Wicked (which actually makes her a quadruple threat).
Despite all the demands in her busy life, Chenoweth says she’s able to stay balanced — and yes, smiley — because she finds time to fit in the “musts” of a healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, great sleep, and a little room for indulgence.
“I’m definitely human,” she explains. “I have some days that are better than others. But for me, the key is to watch my exercise and watch my sleep.” To stay active, Chenoweth credits the gym (she goes a few times a week and uses the treadmill) and putting one foot in front of the other. “Walking is so underrated! When I’m in California, I drive to the store. When I’m in New York, I try to walk everywhere.”
Staying active and well-rested may keep her healthy, but Chenoweth admits that she has one not-so-good-for-her habit that still keeps her happy: “My vice is Coca-Cola,” she confesses. “Everybody in my life is like ‘If I could just get you to stop with the Coca-Cola!’” But she’s not budging. “I feel that you do have to indulge yourself,” she says.
5 Things That Make Kristin Chenoweth Smile
Beyond Coke, what keeps Chenowith grinning? Everyday Health asked her to reveal her top-five, no-fail smile inducers. Here’s what she told us:
1.Going to the mall
2.Her dog Maddie (a Maltese, who she gushes about in the January issue of Prevention Magazine: “Show business can make you so self-focused, even if you’re not that kind of person,” she told the magazine. “Since I wasn’t married and didn’t have a child, I needed something to take care of. So I got a dog.”)
3.Her new car
4.Getting in clean sheets
5.Taking a walk on a beautiful sunny day
How She Keeps Her Smile Sparkling (and How You Can Too!)
Since Chenoweth is practically the poster girl for grinning, she has taken on another important pet project: Promoting good dental health (okay, so maybe she’s a quintuple threat).
Teaming up with mouthwash maker Listerine for the “Your Mouth Has Something to Say” campaign, Chenoweth is helping raise awareness for America’s Toothfairy , a national nonprofit dedicated to pediatric dental disease — a top chronic illness in children.
“I’ll take pictures with people who don’t want to smile because they don’t like the way it looks,” she says. “Dental health is so important. I just found out that when you brush your teeth, it only cleans 25 percent of your mouth. That’s like only washing the pillows in your bed linens. We’re really trying to drive home how important it is to floss and rinse.” To help out, Chenoweth is helping promote a series of dental-health videos on Listerine’s Web site. In turn, Listerine is donating a portion of its proceeds to America’s Toothfairy.
And Chenoweth’s healthy smile comes with one big bonus: It keeps her looking youthful. A recent study published in the journal Cognition and Emotion found that age often gets underestimated in people who wear happy expressions. “I’m 43 years old, but some people say I look like I am 33,” she says.
Now that’s something to smile about
Tooth Friendly Diet!
The foods you eat affect your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but also by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. So what are the best bites for your choppers? A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall oral health — and there are a few standout foods and nutrients that can really boost it.
Calcium and Your Teeth
Mom said it when you were in grade school, and she was right on this one: Drinking milk builds strong bones and teeth. Calcium is vital in childhood and through your teens, when teeth are formed, but the value of this nutrient doesn’t stop once you get your wisdom teeth. A diet with adequate calcium may prevent against tooth decay, says Dr. Leonard Anglis, DDS. When a diet is low in calcium, as a majority of Americans’ diets are, the body leeches the mineral from teeth and bones, which can increase your risk of tooth decay and the incidence of cavities. A study that appeared in the Journal of Periodontology found that those who have a calcium intake of less than 500 mg, or about half the recommended dietary allowance, were almost twice as likely to have periodontitis, or gum disease, than those who had the recommended intake.
The jawbone is particularly susceptible to the effects of low calcium. It can weaken because of low calcium intake, which in turn causes teeth to loosen, leaving you at greater risk for gum disease.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends 1,000 mg of calcium daily for women younger than 50 and for men of any age, and 1,200 mg for women over 50. Calcium is found in dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt; in fish, including sardines with bones and salmon; and in some vegetables, including kale and broccoli.
Eating two to four servings of dairy per day will help you meet the RDA for calcium.
Vitamin C and Your Teeth
The body needs vitamin C to repair connective tissue and help the body fight off infection. No surprise then that a study at the State University of New York at Buffalo showed that those who eat less than the recommended 60 mg per day are 25 percent more likely to have gingivitis than those who eat three times the recommended daily allowance. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal diseases, and it causes the gums to become red from inflammation, swelling and bleeding easily.
Eating one piece of citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruits, tangerines) or a kiwi daily will help you meet the RDA for vitamin C.
Fruits and Vegetables and Your Teeth
Crunchy fruit and veggies — like apples, pears, celery, and carrots — are excellent for your teeth in two ways. The crisp texture acts as a detergent on teeth, wiping away bacteria that can cause plaque. Plus these foods require a lot of chewing, which increases the production of bacteria-neutralizing saliva.
Tea and Your Teeth
While tea may stain teeth, studies at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry have shown that compounds in black tea can destroy or suppress the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in dental plaque, which can help prevent both cavities and gum disease.
Water and Your Teeth
Drinking plenty of water benefits teeth as it helps rinse away both bacteria and the remnants of food that bacteria turns into plaque. Tap water is better for teeth than bottled because it contains fluoride, which prevents tooth decay.
Foods to Avoid
Sugary snacks, especially gummy candies and hard candies that stick in your teeth, are at the top of every dentist’s list of foods to avoid. Regular soda provides a double hit to teeth, combining sugar with acids.
Even foods and drinks that are good for your teeth, like milk, contain sugars. No matter what you eat, it’s important to brush and floss afterward — or at least to rinse your mouth with water. Brush twice a day using either a manual or power toothbrush, and remember to visit a dentist at least twice a year for checkups.
What Is Crown Lengthening????
If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or teeth that you feel are too small, you may want to consider crown lengthening. Also known as a gum lift, this cosmetic dentistry procedure can beautify your smile by exposing more of your teeth.
“Crown lengthening has been used by dentists for years to improve dental health, but it’s recently been gaining popularity as a cosmetic dentistry technique,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn., and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.
——————————————————————————–
Find a dentist or an orthodontist in your area.
——————————————————————————–
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is an oral surgery treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue, and possibly some bone, around the upper teeth to make them look longer. It’s a common procedure performed by dentists and periodontists, or gum specialists.
“If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical smile,” says Dr. Harms. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for the cosmetic effect. If there’s decay or fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or porcelain crown.
What Does Crown Lengthening Involve?
Crown lengthening involves oral surgery performed under local anesthesia. After the area is numbed, the dentist or periodontist makes small cuts to pull the gums away from the teeth and remove excess gum. In some cases, removing gum tissue is all that is needed to expose more of the crown. But if there is too much soft tissue and bone covering the crown, a tiny bit of bone may need to be taken out, too. After the surgery is completed, the gums are washed with sterile salt water and stitched up.
Pros and Cons of Crown Lengthening
Although crown lengthening is a common and safe procedure, it does involve surgery, which always has risks. So it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before going under the knife.
Advantages of crown lengthening: Unlike many cosmetic dentistry treatments, crown lengthening only needs to be done once, with no requirement for touch-ups down the road. In addition to creating a wider, more symmetrical smile, crown lengthening can provide some dental care benefits as well. “It can reduce the risk of tooth decay because more of the tooth is exposed for brushing and flossing,” says Harms. The surgery can usually be completed in 30 minutes to an hour.
Disadvantages of crown lengthening: This cosmetic dentistry treatment can be pricey. Expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for crown lengthening. If the procedure is medically warranted, insurance should pick up some of cost, says Harms. As with other types of cosmetic surgery, you may experience swelling and pain afterwards. Recovery can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how extensive the surgery is. Possible complications include excessive bleeding and infection, but these are rare.
Recovery From a Crown Lengthening Procedure
Following surgery, you’ll be given a prescription for a pain reliever and instructed to use ice to reduce any swelling. You’ll want to eat a diet of fairly soft foods and brush your teeth carefully in the area near the stitches, which will come out in 7 to 10 days.
Complete healing of the gums can take up to three months, however. At that point, you may opt to have veneers or another cosmetic dentistry procedure done, such as bonding or tooth whitening.
Is Crown Lengthening Right For You?
If you’ve always been bothered by a smile that shows too much gum, crown lengthening may be worth the cost and the short-term discomfort. But, for people who have wide teeth, crown lengthening could backfire. “You could end up with teeth that look too big,” says Harms. (Some dental practices offer computer imaging, which will show you what the final result will look like.) On the other hand, if you are especially susceptible to tooth decay, crown lengthening can make it easier for you to take proper care of your teeth and perhaps decrease your risk of decay.
If you have excessive or uneven gums, crown lengthening can transform your smile and give you just the right look — and as an added bonus, it may just improve your overall dental health as well.
Identifying and Preventing TMD
Your temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. As you may imagine, these joints get quite a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement. Millions of Americans suffer from pain in this area, as well as recurrent headaches. In some cases this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD.
What are the symptoms of TMD?
Pain in the jaw area
Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
Frequent headaches or neck aches
Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
Swelling on the sides of the face
Muscle spasms in the jaw area
A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms above, there are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:
Relax your face – remember the rule: “Lips together, teeth apart”
Avoid grinding your teeth
Avoid constant gum chewing
Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder – either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
Practice good posture – keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared
Should you notice any of the symptoms of TMD, give our practice a call. Our team can help identify the presence of TMD, and if necessary, recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
5 Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth!
Tooth sensitivity is common in many of our patients, and can usually be identified by pain or discomfort when consuming foods or beverages that are hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Sensitivity can be felt when brushing or flossing, and can also be experienced after routine dental procedures such as the placement of a filling or crown, tooth restoration, or even teeth cleaning. Such sensitivity is usually temporary; if it does not cease after four to six weeks please consult us.
Tooth sensitivity is often due to the breakdown of tooth enamel or a receding gum line, which can occur from:
Teeth grinding
Tooth Decay
Gum disease
Vigorous brushing
Cracked or chipped teeth
In most instances, tooth sensitivity is treatable. Here are a few remedies you can take advantage of at home:
Try a desensitizing toothpaste which contains chemicals that block sensations like hot and cold from reaching the nerves in your teeth.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that will be gentler on both your teeth and gums.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice every day and flossing once daily.
Switch to a fluoride mouthwash.
When possible, avoid acidic foods such as tea, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Depending on the cause and severity of your sensitivity, you may benefit from professional treatment. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, please be sure to contact us. We can set up an appointment to discuss your unique situation and determine the best way to address the problem.