Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a necessary procedure when dental work needs to be completed under the gumline. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS offers crown lengthening here at his New York, NY dental office. Keep reading to learn more about the procedure.

Sometimes tooth decay can extend below the gum line and fillings need to be placed there. Other times a tooth may be broken off below the gumline, and there is not enough of the tooth above the gumline to place a restoration on it. Other times, a patient may have excess gum tissue that covers up part of their tooth. For these cases, a crown lengthening can be performed. Gum tissue is removed so that more of the tooth’s crown (the part of the tooth visible outside the gums) is exposed.

Even if only one tooth needs to be worked on, multiple teeth will have their crowns lengthened so that the gums can heal in a natural line. First, an incision is made and the gums are pulled back. To work on the tooth, sometimes some bone around the tooth roots will also need to be removed so if needed, the bone will be removed at this time. The area is then cleaned and the gums are stitched into their new place.

Crown lengthening can save a tooth or make a smile more appealing. To learn more or to schedule an appointment in our New York, NY dental office, call (212) 988-1089 or visit Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro’s website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.