Often when a tooth fractures or has a very large filling and your dentist
has recommended a crown to restore the tooth to normal function 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 to work with in order to place the crown so that it will have a
better chance of being retained on the tooth and to allow the gum tissues
to be healthy.
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Example of a healthy tooth.
For more information on normal tooth anatomy, go to the anatomy page.
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Example of a tooth fracture below the gum line, into the jaw bone.
The restorative dentist cannot access the remaining tooth structure
and restore this tooth adequately.
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A periodontal procedure is required to remove some bone and expose
the remaining tooth structure. |
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Final bone and gum level after healing.
The remaining tooth structure is accessible to the restorative
dentist.
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The tooth is restored with a filling.
Depending on the remaining tooth structure, a crown may also be
required to restore the tooth.
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