Laser Crown Lengthening with Little to No Discomfort

Dr. Heringer: We also offer what we call crown-lengthening procedures. What that is, is when your tooth is so badly broken down that there's not enough room for your crown to fit, we have to create some length. We have to make that crown so it's not sitting against the bone. We basically have to go under your gum line and just kind of tease away some of that bone so that you can gain more length to hold that crown onto your broken down tooth. Oftentimes you don't have to use anesthesia. The way it's done is we're basically doing a gum lift on your tooth with our laser, and then once we get your gum height to the point that we want, and once we know how much length we need for the crown to fit, then we'll go ahead and use the laser. The laser works with the principle of ablation. It's like a high-pressure mini water hose, and what it does is basically you slip the laser tip between your gum and your tooth and let it rest kind of below your gum line, and it slowly taps away the gum, below the gum, and also the bones. The recovery time is quick, the healing is fast. There is virtually no bleeding and no sutures. There is no scalpel, and it's done in a matter of a few minutes. Again, there is no waiting three or four months for healing. We can go ahead and do the crown prep and the crown service the same day. There are different types of lasers that can be done with it. The best, or the laser I use, is a water laser because it doesn't really generate any heat. It's gentler to the bone. Janelle: Well, I came in to see Dr. Heringer. I have been coming to Dr. Heringer for years and years and years, and I needed some work done on my front teeth. He's been saying, "Janelle, I think we need to do this," and finally the breaking point. I was in Minneapolis and we were with my grandchildren and my granddaughter said, "Grandma, why do you have such awful looking teeth?" That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I decided it is time to do something. I was getting ready to have my 45th nursing reunion, and I thought, now's the time to do it. I was in the dental chair most of the day because I had quite a few done. We would take a break. I brought yogurt along so that we could take a break and have a snack. We got bathroom breaks whenever we needed. I did it even without any anesthesia. There was no pain, no discomfort, and everybody was so kind and so gracious. I wasn't nervous at all. It was a very, very nice experience. I am very happy with the results. People will come up to me and they'll say, "Let me see that smile, let me see that smile." Because maybe some of them have seen pictures of me here in the clinic, and so now they always have to make sure that they see my smile. And I smile a lot, so it's very appropriate that I did this. My granddaughter is so happy with the results. I tell you, yes, she is. Dr. Heringer: And of course, that's what's important. Janelle: Yes, right. When you're a grandmother, your grandchildren are the important ones, I'll tell you. I would definitely recommend him. In fact, I do come over and speak to some patients that are having some problem. They're thinking, should I do this or shouldn't I do this. They'll give me a call and I will come over and talk to them, and show them, and let them know the positive experience that I had with the office. The staff is very caring and very professional. It's been a few years since I've had this done, and even now I come over here and Dr. Heringer will say, "Oh, just look at those pretty teeth," and everybody is so excited. "Doesn't she have a pretty smile?" So yes, I would recommend it for everyone.