Is Crown Lengthening the Solution for Your Tooth Sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can affect your diet as the symptom cause discomfort whenever you take hot or cold foods and drinks. The good news is that there are different treatments for tooth sensitivity, for instance: root canal, surgical gum graft, fluoride treatment, and crown lengthening. This article will focus on crown lengthening surgery as a treatment for tooth sensitivity. We’ll take you through some common causes of tooth sensitivity and how crown lengthening can help. So, keep on reading to learn more.

Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity and How Crown Lengthening Can Help

It is essential to know that there are people born with more sensitive teeth than others, as their teeth’s enamels are thinner. The tooth’s enamel plays a vital role in protecting your tooth from trauma and hot and cold temperatures. On the other hand, our oral habits can lead to the wearing out of the tooth’s enamel, leaving it prone to sensitivity. Some of the causes of tooth sensitivity include:

• Teeth grinding or bruxism.
• Using a hard toothbrush that wears out the enamel.
• Brushing your teeth too hard.
• Regularly taking acidic drinks and foods like lemon juice and pineapple.

Besides the mentioned causes, gum recession, tooth decay, and chipped or broken teeth can also leave sections of your tooth unprotected or exposed, leading to sensitivity. Other than oral diseases and damaged teeth, you can also experience tooth sensitivity after dental work, like teeth whitening, crowns, and tooth fillings.

Now that you know some of the common causes of tooth sensitivity, what are the triggers of tooth sensitivity?

• Cold air
• Hot drinks and food.
• Sweet foods and beverages
• Alcohol-based mouth rinses.
• Cold water, especially during routine dental cleaning.
• Brushing teeth.

How Are Sensitive Teeth Diagnosed?

Sensitive teeth may indicate an underlying dental problem. Therefore, if you experience slight discomfort when you brush your teeth or take hot or cold foods and drinks, it would be best to visit the dentist as soon as possible.

After visiting the dentist who performs dental crown lengthening in Coquitlam, BC V3K 3P3, they will examine your teeth and check for any loose fillings, recessed gums, or cavities. This is because they may cause tooth sensitivity.

The dentist may recommend a crown lengthening procedure if the cause of sensitivity is receded gums or a broken tooth that has exposed your tooth’s roots. During the procedure, the dentist will first administer local anesthesia to numb the area under treatment. Next, the affected gum tissue is cleaned to prevent infection.

Excess gum tissue is then carefully extracted, leaving the tooth exposed. Depending on the dental clinic you visit, the dentist may use lasers, electrocautery, or a scalpel. After removing the excess gum tissue, the dentist cleans the area with salt water and applies bandages.

The Success Rate of Crown Lengthening In Treating Tooth Sensitivity.

Crown lengthening treatment is usually performed for cosmetic reasons. The good news is patients with sensitive teeth can also benefit from the procedure. Gum recession leads to the exposure of the tooth roots. When taking hot or cold drinks and foods, some of the food or drink can come into contact with the tooth’s roots causing slight discomfort.

Additionally, receded gums affect the appearance of your teeth. So, you should look for a dentist who performs crown lengthening near you as the treatment can improve the appearance of your teeth and, at the same time, reduce teeth sensitivity.

The procedure ensures that your tooth’s roots are well covered, preventing the entry of bacteria into the gum pockets created by gum disease. Crown lengthening is an effective treatment for sensitive teeth; however, it is suitable for patients with receded gums or broken teeth.

Other treatments will be effective if tooth sensitivity is caused by teeth grinding or brushing your teeth hard. For instance, patients with bruxism should look for customized mouthguards for wearing at night. The mouth guard will protect the teeth’s enamel from getting worn out due to the pressure that teeth-grinding causes.

On the other hand, fluoride, root canal treatment, and desensitizing toothpaste can also alleviate discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity. Fluoride treatment helps restore lost minerals in your tooth, fortifying the enamel and reducing sensitivity. Root canal therapy involves the removal of inflamed pulp, which reduces sensitivity.

Conclusion

It can be hard to enjoy your favorite meal with sensitive teeth or even smile when your teeth are sensitive. If you have sensitive teeth, visit Tri-Cities Dental Specialist. Our dental professional will examine your teeth and recommend the most suitable treatment for your sensitive teeth.