What is Crown Lengthening?

Crown Lengthening is a dental procedure which reshapes the gum and supporting tissues surrounding a tooth that is fractured or decay extends below the gum line. The area must be uncovered before the tooth can be restored. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone levels to expose more of the tooth.

Before

Note: Crown Lengthening is also the groundwork for cosmetic dentistry to improve the esthetics of your gum line in the case of a "gummy" smile where your teeth appear short. Your teeth may actually be the proper length, but they are covered with too much gum tissue. To correct this common problem, we perform crown lengthening. Excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural teeth resulting in a more beautiful smile.

After

In order for the gum to heal against the tooth in a healthy manner, there must be 3 millimeters of healthy tooth between the margin of a filling or cap and the crest of the bone which supports the tooth. This allows space for proper attachment of the gum to the tooth.

A tooth which is broken or decayed below the gum is also difficult, if not impossible, for us to restore correctly, as access and visualization of the area is compromised.

In addition, even the best filling or cap will trap bacteria where the restoration meets the tooth.

If this area is below the gum where you can not properly clean it, the bacterial accumulation results in both periodontal problems and the formation of a new cavity at the base of the filling.

A crown lengthening procedure, which reshapes the gum and supporting tissues, will solve these problems.

After treatment, the fractured or decayed area is uncovered and accessible to us for restoration, and the needed space has been established between the supporting tissues and the final postion of the restoration.

This will allow a final restoration to be placed in a healthy environment.

What are the benefits of Crown Lengthening?