Sometimes after a part of the tooth has broken
off or if there has been a lot of decay, the dentist may have to
access areas of the tooth that are far below the gum line. When
a crown (cap) is placed, there is an area called the margin, which
is where the crown meets the tooth. It is important that the dentist
has good access to this area and it is not up against the bone because
it can be a source of irritation.
In these instances, the patient may require a procedure called Crown
lengthening. This is a small surgical procedure where the gum and
sometimes the bone are trimmed to expose the area where the dentist
has to work. This will ensure that the area treated can be cleaned
very well and stay healthy over many years.
