AESTHETIC AND FUNCTIONAL CROWN LENGTHENING
Caution: Some graphics may be considered disturbing for some viewers
Figure 1
This patient presented with a failing crown on the right hand side with a perforation lesion on the tooth under the gum. The upper central incisors had short crowns and poor gum aesthetics. A treatment plan was undertaken to shape the gum line more aesthetically by a crown lengthening procedure prior to new crowns being constructed. This also allowed importantly, access to the perforation in the crown that needed to be sealed under the new restoration.
Figure 2
The crown lengthening procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and the gum and underlying bone are given the new shape to allow ideal crowns to be constructed that are in harmony with the gum line, adjacent teeth and smile line. Stitches are placed. Post-operative pain is minimal and the tissues are allowed to heal before the new crowns are made.
Figure 3.
Two weeks following surgery the tissues are healing well at the new gum level and will be ready for new temporary crowns soon. The tissues are allowed to continue to mature for about 6 weeks before the new permanent crowns are made to make sure that the altered gum line stays to stable.
Figure 4.
Three months post-operatively the new crowns with the new gum line looks natural and in harmony with surrounding structures and is a significant improvement on the aesthetics in Figure 1.
