First things first, what is crown lengthening?
Often when a tooth fractures or has a very large filling and your dentist has recommended a crown to restore the tooth to its normal function and appearance, a crown lengthening procedure is required.
This procedure involves the removal and re-contouring of the gum and bone surrounding the tooth. This provides your dentist with sufficient tooth area to work with in order to place the crown so that it will have the best chance of being retained on the tooth. Having a proper fitting crown ensures the gum tissues remain as healthy and stable as possible.
Nearly everyone who has cracked or damaged a healthy tooth and is in general good health is a candidate for surgical crown lengthening. However, if a tooth has been fractured beyond repair, extraction of the tooth and replacement with a dental implant may be another option for treatment.
To determine if you are a candidate for surgical crown lengthening, a consultation with your periodontist is needed to develop your individualized treatment plan of action.
