Crown Lengthening

What is Tooth Exposure?

Many times a tooth is decayed or broken below the gum line. On other occasions, the gum has never receded back properly to the correct position. This results in a tooth that is "too short" for a crown to be retained. Periodontal surgery is needed to adjust the gum level and expose more tooth so that your dentist can construct a cap or bridge that will fit properly.

The Procedure

The gum is gently lifted away from the teeth. The underlying bone is recontoured to expose adequate tooth structure. The gum tissue is then placed at the level of the bone to reestablish its seal or attachment to the teeth. Stitches are usually required and a dressing is often placed around the area.