Monday, May 3, 2010

TMI - The Monday Inquiry

Crown Lengthening

A crown covers and protects.

A crown is an excellent way to cover and protect a tooth that has fractured or been damaged by decay or injury. Sometimes, however, the damage is so extensive that there simply is not enough tooth structure to support a crown. In these cases, we can often use a minor surgical procedure called crown lengthening.

This procedure increases the amount of available tooth structure so that the tooth can support a crown, which is the best choice for covering and protecting the tooth.

The procedure

The first step in crown lengthening is to thoroughly numb the entire area.

Incisions are made in the gums around the tooth, and then the gums are gently pulled back. Next, the bone and gum tissue are reshaped to reveal just enough of the natural tooth to create a secure anchor for a crown. The gums are replaced, and a couple of stitches are placed to speed healing. In some cases, we may also build up the tooth using a post and buildup material.

After a few weeks of healing, a crown in placed to cover and protect the damaged tooth. The crown restores your damaged tooth to normal health, appearance, and chewing function. Crown lengthening is a predictable and effective way to save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

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