There are times when a tooth is not exposed enough to accommodate a dental crown or filling. To tackle this problem, a dental crown lengthening surgery can be useful. It is a common dental procedure in which the surgeon removes or repositions gum and/or gingival tissue to expose more tooth.
Dental crown lengthening in Costa Rica is a good option for people from the United States and Canada who cannot afford the procedure in their home country.
Traveling to the verdant Latin American country for dental work can help you save thousands of dollars and also give you an opportunity to enjoy a tropical vacation.
A simpler alternative to crown lengthening is electro-surgery. However, it is not as effective as the former in treating deep fractures or fillings.
Many people are apprehensive thinking if it is safe to get dental work in Costa Rica. Check out various testimonials from our clients to be sure of your choice.
Do You Really Need Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a kind of aesthetic dentistry procedure that has both functional and appearance-enhancing benefits. It can treat decaying teeth and also help get rid of a ‘gummy’ smile.
- Sometimes, when a tooth is broken off at the gum line or when a filling or crown falls out and there is bone decay, the dentist will need to expose the tooth more in order to place a new crown.
- If you are among the ones who need to spruce up their smile, having this surgery for crown lengthening in Costa Rica could be a cost-effective solution to your problem.
Who is an Ideal Candidate?
- The candidate should have good oral health.
- There needs to be sufficient amount of alveolar bone if the patient wants dental implants for the surrounding teeth. Talk to your dentist beforehand, in case you are considering getting low cost dental implants in Costa Rica.
- If the candidate is suffering from a bleeding disorder or diabetes, they may not be able to undergo this oral surgery for crown lengthening.
Did you know: To be sure that crown lengthening is a viable option, the patient’s periodontal condition and hygiene habits need to be evaluated.1
How Much for Dental Crown Lengthening in Costa Rica?
Dental insurance does not take care of the cost of cosmetic dental procedures. However, if gum contouring is needed to essentially treat tooth decay, one’s dental insurance can help decrease the financial burden to a certain extent.
Since such procedures are generally out-of-pocket, traveling to Costa Rica for treatment can help obtain the much needed care.
Cost Comparison – Costa Rica vs. USA
The following table shows the comparison of crown lengthening prices between the United States and Costa Rica.
| Dental Crown Lengthening Procedure | Cost |
| United States | $1,000-$4,000 |
| Costa Rica | $250 onwards* |
From the above table it is apparent that crown lengthening in Costa Rica is more than 70% cheaper than the average US prices.
*Prices are subject to change without prior notice. Contact us now for the latest information.
How is Crown Lengthening Procedure Done?
- Local anesthesia is administered.
- The procedure is carried out by a periodontist who cuts and peels the gum away in order to expose more of the teeth.
- Various hand and rotary instruments are utilized to successfully remove the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth.
- After the required area of the tooth has been duly exposed, the entire surface is treated with sterile salt water.
- After this, the gums are stitched together.
- Intraoral dressing may be used to cover the operated area.
- If a single tooth needs crown lengthening, there are chances that the surrounding teeth are also treated to make them look evenly shaped.
- After the procedure is complete and the operated area has been covered, the patient is given pain relievers and a chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Often, ice packs are recommended to reduce swelling.
- A soft diet is recommended following the procedure. Brushing of teeth also needs to be done with extra care.
- A follow-up appointment in the next 7-10 days is a must.
Pros and Cons of Gum Surgery
Pros
- This procedure does not ask for repetition. There are no touch-ups involved.
- The process helps create a symmetrical and wider smile.
- The chances of incurring tooth decay are considerably reduced because it is felt that more of the tooth is exposed for proper cleaning and brushing.
- The surgery lasts for a maximum of 1 hour.
Crown lengthening surgery does carry minimal risk of infection and hence, it is important that you diligently follow all the postoperative care infections to keep the infections at bay!
Cons
- Recovery generally takes a few weeks, contingent on how extensive the surgery is.
- Risks like excessive bleeding and infection are present even though the chances of them happening are rare.
Why Us?
- Strategically located, our network dental clinic is only 11 miles away from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
- The dental facility is state-of-the-art and has all the latest technologies to offer the highest quality of dental treatment.
- The doctors in our network clinic are affiliated to AAID, CCDCR, ADA and ICOI. The clinic itself is internationally accredited by American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) and locally accredited by PROMED.
- With expertise in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, our partner dental clinic has 6 permanent doctors in general dentistry, 4 specialists and surgeons, and 12 dental assistants.
Your Dental Trip Made Easy
Among the various services the dental clinic offers, some are:
- Complimentary airport-clinic transportation facility
- Concierge services (including airport assistance)
- Free phone calls to the United States and Canada for dental tourists
- Dedicated international call center
- Well-appointed waiting area
- Gratis Wi-Fi access
Will the Procedure be Very Painful?
Crown lengthening is performed using local anesthesia to eliminate any pain during the procedure. After the surgery, as the effect of the anesthesia wears off you will start experiencing some pain, tenderness, and sensitivity in the area. Your periodontist will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to help manage the discomfort and prevent infections. The medicines will also eliminate swelling in the area.
What Care Should I Take After the Surgery?
- Use an antiseptic mouth rinse like Listerine, Polident, and CloSYS, as it will aid in the healing. Please use the one prescribed by your dentist and duly follow the given instructions as well.
- Take medicines as per the recommended dosage. Do not discontinue them once you start feeling better, as you will have to finish the complete course to keep infections at bay.
- After the procedure, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold, so avoid consuming very warm or cold foods and beverages.
- Consume soft foods. For instance, bananas, mashed potatoes, egg noodle, white rice and pureed fruits.2 Ask your dental surgeon to provide you a list of the kind of foods you can have.
- Remember to avoid brushing in the affected area. Ask your dentist to demonstrate how to clean your teeth during the recovery period.
- Avoid smoking as nicotine tends to hamper the healing process and causes infections.
Travelling to Costa Rica – Tips
Best Time: The perfect time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April. This time period gets the maximum tourists.
Passport and Visa: For Americans and Canadians, it is important that your passport is valid for more than 30 days following your arrival. It is recommended that you have your return ticket as well. For a stay longer than 90 days, an extension can be granted by the Costa Rican Department of Immigration upon receipt of your application for the same.
Travel Safe: It is advised to only use licensed taxis. They can be identified by the numbered yellow triangles that are painted on the side. These taxis have seat belts and meters. Driving is not a good option because of the condition of the roads.
Dental work in Costa Rica comes at attractive prices and if you are considering a gingival repositioning surgery and other expensive procedures, such as smile designing, taking a medical trip to the alluring Central American country would be a cost-effective solution.
Getting gummy smile treatment will fade into the background after you experience all the magnificent natural beauty the country has to offer. Please check out Costa Rica dentist reviews before you finalize your destination.
For MORE information on Dental Crown Lengthening in Costa Rica and a FREE estimate, please fill the contact form and we will get in touch with you.
References
- De Oliveira, Pablo Santos et al. “Aesthetic Surgical Crown Lengthening Procedure.” Case Reports in Dentistry2015 (2015): 437412. PMC. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4644817/ 3 Jan. 2018.
- Kathryn Watson. June, 2017. “Soft Foods Diet” https://www.healthline.com/health/soft-foods-diet#foods-to-eat 17 Jan. 2018
