Treaments and Services
- Treatment Methods
- Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
- Bruxism Treatments
- Scaling and Root Planning
- Bite Adjustment
- Osseous Surgery
- Gum Grafting
- Frenectomy
- Crown Lengthening
- Bone Grafting
- Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
- Sinus Augmentation
- Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
- Oral Cancer Exam
- TMJ Dysfunction
- Tooth Extraction
- Microbial Testing
- Local Antibiotic Treatment
- Periodontal Maintenance & Support Therapy
- Dental Implants
Functional Crown Lengthening
Functional crown lengthening (or crown exposure) is often required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration (filling). Crown lengthening may also be required when a tooth breaks or fractures below the gum line in order to provide the dentist access to properly repair the tooth and maintain healthy gum in the area and prevent bone loss. Sometimes cavities extend too deeply below the gum line to be accessible for restorations and crown lengthening is indicated.
The edge of a restoration deep below the gum tissue is often not adequately accessible for proper restoration by your general dentist. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone. Crown lengthening allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit 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.
Crowns will be unstable if there is an inadequate amount of tooth for proper crown retention. Crowns and bridges are cemented to teeth, but it is the shape and contour of the underlying tooth which is the main source for retention of the crown or bridge. In addition, crowns that are placed too deeply below the gum line can lead to further periodontal problems. The gum around these crowns often becomes tender and chronically inflamed and may even lead to bone loss. Crown lengthening is needed in these cases.
Crown lengthening takes approximately one hour. When the procedure is completed, sutures, and a protective bandage are placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to remove the sutures and evaluate your healing.
