Crown Lengthening
Periodontics Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed.
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Crown lengthening (or crown exposure) is required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration. The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not accessible. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone. This procedure create a new gum-to-tooth relationship. This allows your dentist to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit of your restoration to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease.
Procedure
The procedure involves adjusting the levels of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question, to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship. The procedure takes approximately one hour.
When the procedure is completed, sutures and a protective “bandage” may be placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to evaluate your healing.
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
This periodontal procedure is designed to expose more tooth structure prior to restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line. A frequently asked question is whether we can change the esthetics of a gummy smile because the teeth appear somewhat short. Your teeth can actually be of proper length and just covered with excessive gum tissue. In such circumstances, an esthetic crown lengthening procedure will correct this by exposing the shape of your natural teeth.
Esthetic crown lengthening can also be done to single teeth to even your gum line and create a pleasing smile. If your teeth are decayed, fractured at or below the gum line or have insufficient tooth structure for a new crown retention, a crown lengthening procedure may be recommended to enable your dentist to perform a restorative and/or cosmetic dental procedure.
Procedure
During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of your natural teeth, which can significantly enhance periodontal health.
Benefits
Whether you have crown lengthening to improve function or esthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health – your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.