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“Crown lengthening”? Probably not an expression most of us are familiar with! In fact, this is a common periodontal procedure designed to improve both the health and the appearance of our smiles by revealing more of the tooth surface usually hidden by our gums.

What is Crown Lengthening?

The “crown” is the part of our tooth covered by enamel, while the “lengthening” is actually the result of revealing more of the tooth. Usually, Drs. Angela Paros, Amer Atassi, Eric Young, Alexander Katsnelson will use a local anesthetic to numb the area, and remove gum tissue from the base of a specific tooth or teeth. If necessary, a small amount of bone tissue might be removed from the base of the tooth as well. This process exposes more tooth surface. When the ideal tooth length is visible, the tissue around it is then shaped for an even appearance and the repositioned gum tissue is often sutured in place. We will always tailor this treatment to your specific needs, so talk to us about our treatment plan for you. We will explain the surgery, after care, and follow-up visits.

Why Consider Crown Lengthening?

• To Repair an Injured Tooth

Sometimes a tooth suffers an injury that makes it impossible to repair without crown lengthening. If a tooth is broken off at the gumline, or suffers a fracture that extends to the gumline, more of the tooth will need to be exposed so that there is enough remaining natural tooth to support a crown. Similarly, this procedure might also be necessary for a filling if decay has affected the tooth near the gumline. Crown lengthening can enable us to perform a restoration and save a tooth where an extraction might otherwise take place.

• For Cosmetic Improvement

An excess of gum tissue can lead to a “gummy” smile. Crown lengthening can reduce extra gum tissue and, if needed, bone tissue, to provide you with a well-proportioned smile. The gum tissue will be contoured for an even, attractive gumline. This process is carefully designed to create a balance of lips, teeth, and gums for your most appealing smile. Crown lengthening might also be advisable if more tooth surface is needed for veneers.

Call our Romeoville, IL office if you have any questions about this procedure, whether for restorative or cosmetic reasons. “Crown lengthening” might be a term you’ve never heard before. But it might be exactly the procedure you need to ensure healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.

Now that you’re a teenager, you have a lot more responsibility and independence. Choosing high school classes and electives. Getting a driver’s license. Landing your first job. And those new responsibilities extend to your dental health as well.

• Mouthguards

If you have a mouthguard for sports or athletic activities, wear it! Whether you have an over-the-counter device or a custom fabricated guard, it won’t do you any good hiding in your locker. A mouthguard cuts down on tooth and facial injuries caused by falls, physical contact, or other accidents that might happen in your active life. And if you wear braces, ask about a mouthguard designed to fit around them. These custom devices protect your braces and your mouth.

• Gum Health

Part of adolescence is adapting to all the changes your body is going through. But an increased chance of gingivitis, perhaps caused by hormonal changes, is not something you want to adapt to. You might suspect you have gingivitis, or early gum disease, if your gums are swollen, red, bleeding, or easily irritated. Let us know about your concerns. With proper dental care (brushing, flossing, cutting down on sugars and carbs), your gums will be healthy again in no time.

• Wisdom Teeth

Your teen years might be the time that your wisdom teeth make their appearance. We could discover them at one of your visits, or you may suddenly notice new teeth emerging behind your molars. If there’s room for your wisdom teeth and they are erupting (coming in) without problems, you might be good to go. But if there’s no room, or if you have pain or infection, or if they are causing damage to the teeth next to them, extraction might be necessary. Talk to us about all your options.

• Tobacco

You’re making decisions now that will affect the rest of your life. Don’t start using tobacco products, or if you’ve started, stop before it becomes even more addicting. Quitting tobacco is one of the best decisions you will make for your health—and this includes your dental health. Studies have shown that smokers and other tobacco users suffer much higher rates of oral cancer, serious gum disease, and early tooth loss. Set yourself up for decades of better health!

Finally, remember that sticking with your dental routine—two minutes of brushing morning and night and thorough flossing each day—will keep your gums and teeth healthy throughout your teen years. And, if you have any questions about your dental health in general, or a specific dental concern, give our Romeoville, IL office a call! We’re here to work with you for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

As we all know, or should by now, the key to maintaining great oral health is keeping up with a daily plan of flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash. These three practices in combination will help you avoid tooth decay and keep bacterial infections at bay.

At High Point Dental Group, we’ve noticed that it’s usually not the toothbrush or floss that people have trouble picking, but the mouthwash.

Depending on the ingredients, different mouthwashes will have different effects on your oral health. Here are some ideas to take under consideration when you’re trying to decide which type of mouthwash will best fit your needs.

• If gum health is your concern, antiseptic mouthwashes are designed to reduce bacteria near the gum line.
• If you drink a lot of bottled water, you may want to consider a fluoride rinse to make sure your teeth develop the level of strength they need.
• Generally, any mouthwash will combat bad breath, but some are especially designed to do so.
• Opt for products that are ADA approved, to ensure you aren’t exposing your teeth to harmful chemicals.
• If you experience an uncomfortable, burning sensation when you use a wash, stop it and try another!

Still have questions about mouthwash? Feel free to ask Drs. Angela Paros, Amer Atassi, Eric Young, Alexander Katsnelson during your next visit to our Romeoville, IL office! We’re always happy to answer your questions. Happy rinsing!

Perhaps you had a particularly irritating commute home from work, and you realize at the end that your jaw was clenched tight the entire time. Or maybe you grind your teeth when you are nervous or anxious about an upcoming business meeting. Most people grind their teeth from time to time, but it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of chronic tooth grinding. Known as bruxism, this condition can lead to oral health problems and dental issues later.

Signs and symptoms of bruxism

• Your partner might complain about the fact that you grind your teeth while you sleep. People who grind their teeth on a regular basis often do so during the night, and aren’t necessarily aware it is happening. However, your partner will more than likely notice if you develop this condition. If he or she mentions that it happens often, you might want to contact our team at High Point Dental Group.
• You may experience a persistent and unexplained headache if you grind your teeth too often. You may not realize why you have this headache, because you are not aware of the fact that you have been grinding your teeth. Take note of any headaches you have, and if you cannot attribute them to another source, please give us a call to set up an appointment with Drs. Angela Paros, Amer Atassi, Eric Young, Alexander Katsnelson.
• Your jaw will more than likely become sore if you suffer from bruxism. If you wake up in the morning and have any discomfort in your jaw, you might have spent the night grinding your teeth. Our team can give you tips and advice for managing bruxism.

While many people associate their teeth grinding with stress, it actually is caused more often by crooked teeth, an overbite, or an under bite. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to a variety of complications, including dental injuries, hearing loss, and the onset of TMD. If you think that you might be a chronic tooth grinder, it might be time to set up an appointment at our Romeoville, IL office in order to find out which treatment options are available to you.