Crown Lengthening
A surgical procedure that exposes more tooth structure by removing gingival tissue, bone, or both, typically to establish adequate biologic width or improve restorability. Always hyphenated as a compound modifier or noun.
Full Definition
Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure performed to increase the clinical crown height of a tooth. It may be accomplished by gingivectomy alone when sufficient attached gingiva exists, or by an osseous resective approach when bone removal is necessary to re-establish biologic width. The procedure is indicated prior to restorative work when a tooth is fractured subgingivally, when margins are subgingival, or for aesthetic gingival recontouring. Editors should note the term is always hyphenated ('crown-lengthening surgery' as modifier, 'crown lengthening' as a standalone noun). It should not be confused with 'tooth eruption' or 'extrusion,' which achieve the same clinical goal via orthodontic means.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as a compound modifier: 'crown-lengthening procedure.' As a standalone noun phrase, no hyphen is needed: 'crown lengthening was performed.'
In Context
- "Crown lengthening was performed on tooth #14 to expose 2 mm of sound tooth structure coronal to the fracture line." — Operative report
- "The referring periodontist recommended crown-lengthening surgery before the final impression was taken." — Restorative dentistry referral letter