Functional Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening can also be used when decay occurs below the gumline or a tooth has fractured off below the gumline.  In that case, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue in order to expose enough healthy tooth structure to facilitate the placement of a high quality restoration that is long-lasting. Your dentist may ask Dr. Meraw or Dr. Plonka to perform this procedure before he or she makes a new crown for your tooth.