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Posts for tag: crown lengthening

While we often associate tooth decay with cavities forming in a tooth’s visible or biting surfaces, the occurrence of this all too common disease isn’t limited to those areas. Cavities can develop in any part of a tooth exposed to bacteria.
Gum recession, the shrinking back of the gums from the teeth, can cause such exposure in areas normally covered by the gums. Because these areas are usually more vulnerable to infection when exposed, cavities can develop at or right below the gum line. Because of their location it can be difficult to fill them or perform other treatments.
One way to make it less difficult is to perform a crown lengthening procedure. While the term sounds like we’re increasing the size of the tooth, we’re actually surgically altering the gums to access more of the affected tooth surface for treatment. It’s typically performed in a dental office with local anesthesia by a general dentist or a periodontist, a specialist in the gums.
During the procedure, the dentist starts by making small incisions in the gums to create a tissue “flap” that can be lifted out of the way. This exposes the underlying bone, which they then reshape to support the gum tissue once it’s re-situated in its new position. The dentist then sutures the gums back in place. Once the gums heal, the decayed area is ready for treatment.
Crown lengthening is also useful for other situations besides treating cavities. If a tooth has broken off at the gum line, for example, there may not be enough remaining structure to support a crown. Crown lengthening can make more of the underlying tooth available for the crown to “grab” onto. It’s also useful in some cases of “gummy smiles,” in which too much of the gum tissue is visible in proportion to the tooth size.
Because crown lengthening often involves removing some of the bone and is thus irreversible, you should discuss this procedure with your dentist in depth beforehand. It could be, though, this minor procedure might make it easier to preserve your teeth and even make them look more attractive.
If you would like more information on crown lengthening, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Dentist - Fort Worth
2551 River Park Plaza
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-732-4419
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Archive:
- 2019
- January (6)
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- 2018
- December (6)
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
- November (6)
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- This November, Become a Non-Smoker
- October (6)
- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- September (6)
- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
- Protect Your Teeth During Football Season
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- A New School Year, A New Beginning
- Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
- August (6)
- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
- 4 Big Benefits for Beginning Early Dental Visits for Your Child
- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
- Crown Lengthening Helps us Treat Hard to Reach Cavities
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- July (7)
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- June (6)
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
- 4 Problem Areas That Could Affect Your Child's Teeth
- May (6)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- April (5)
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- OTC Pain Relievers Usually Enough to Relieve Post-Procedure Mouth Discomfort
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- 2017
- November (5)
- Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- Sometimes It's Good to Be a Quitter: Smoking and Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- July (5)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Your Dentist may have the Solution for Your Sleep Apnea
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
- March (5)
- Factors Besides Oral Hygiene that Influence Your Risk for Tooth Decay
- That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
- 2016
- October (5)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- March (5)
- Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- 2015
- November (5)
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
- 2014
- August (5)
- Occasional Tongue Redness may be Irritating but not a Serious Health Issue
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gummy Smiles
- 2013
- 2012
- August (8)
- Bleeding Gums Mean Something is Wrong
- Treating Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How to Get What You Want in Your Smile Makeover
- Countdown To A Perfect Wedding Day Smile
- Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are You at High Risk for Tooth Decay?
- 2011
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