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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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Dental and Oral Health (Adults) |
Why Not `Crown Shortening?`07/28/2003 |
I have a molar that is badly decayed. I am concerned that it will have to be extracted. However, before it is extracted, I would like to fully understand why it cannot be saved.Because of the location of the decay between teeth and because it extends below the gum, “crown lengthening” will be difficult.
Why is “crown shortening” not an option? What problems occur if the crown margin is below the level of the bone? If non-decayed tooth starts near or below bone, why not have the crown margin below bone?
The tooth and bone will be clean so that no infection can occur. Perhaps the tooth could be only partially restored with a “hat” placed on the tooth until the gum recovers.
What problems would occur?
Thanks for your question. I just received this today for review - 28 July. So here goes: 1. Without seeing you as a patient, what I say is very very limited and may even be wrong. With that said: 2. Crown lengthening is done to permit access to decayed tooth structure so that when it is restored, the gum health is as good as can be possible. Gum and bone are surgically removed to permit this. There is a limit to how far it can be done, however. Putting any restoration too far below the gum and certainly anywhere close to the bone can cause serious gum disease problems and tooth loss from bone destruction and infection. 3. Crown shortening is not an appropriate or understandable term. Does that help? If you are unhappy with your dentist`s recommendations, obtain a second opinion in person. Internet assistance like this is extremely limited in what advice it can effectively provide.
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Daniel E Jolly, BA, DDS, FAAHD, FACD, FAGD Professor of Clinical Dentistry College of Dentistry The Ohio State University |
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