The "crown" of a tooth is that part that is above the gums. Sometimes more of the tooth below the gums must be exposed to fill a cavity near the gumline or place a new crown on a broken tooth. "Crown lengthening" provides more tooth structure for this to to be done. This helps to ensure that the general dental procedure is successful and prevents gum irritation.

Procedure: Your periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently recontours excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural tooth.

Functional Crown Lengthening

The cavity is below the gumline preventing the periodontist from being able to reach it.

Dr. Glover administers a local anesthetic, gently opens the area and lowers the bone.

This view shows the cavity.

The area is stitched back and the gums given a chance to heal. The gums will now be lower allowing access to the cavity.

The cavity is now accessible and the decay can be removed.

Then the cavity is filled.