Crown lengthening (or crown exposure) can be required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration, to avoid placing the edge of that restoration too deep below the gum tissue and inaccessible for hygiene purposes. It can also be necessary to crown lengthen teeth that appear too anatomically short, due to a disturbance in the eruption process.
The procedure involves adjusting the level of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth to create a new gum-to-tooth relationship. This allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease. When the procedure is completed, sutures are placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to remove any remaining sutures and evaluate your healing.