Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening is a procedure to address an excessive gingival display, otherwise known as a gummy smile. Commonly, the procedure is used to expose a greater amount of tooth structure for the purpose of subsequently restoring the tooth prosthetically.
Indications
The indications for crown lengthening surgery were classified in eight general categories excessive gingival display, subgingivally extended restorations, inadequate restorative retention, crown fracture with subgingival extension, caries with subgingival extension, subgingival perforations of crown/root, short.
Contraindications
Contraindications to crown lengthening include attempting to retain a non restorable tooth, compromising adjacent teeth, compromised crown/root ratios, root proximity issues, and unrealistic expense.
WHEN TO DO crown lengthening?
It’s usually recommended when your dentist determines you don’t have enough exposed tooth for a crown or bridge to be placed appropriately. Put simply, crown lengthening surgery involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of a tooth so it can be fixed or restored.