Functional Crown Lengthening

Accessing Decay

A second common use of crown lengthening is to access decay. Is the dentist is unable to reach decay that is deep under the gum, the tooth will be lost. As a rule, simply trimming back the gum is not sufficient, as the bone would be exposed. Rather, the periodontists must reflect a flap, trim back the bone to allow for access to the decay and then suture the gum back at the lower level. Sufficient bone must be removed to allow room below the decay for the gum to reattach to the tooth.