Crown Lengthening Procedures for Functional and Esthetic Purposes

Abstract

The crown lengthening (CL) procedure is one of the most common procedures in daily dental practice. The purpose of this review is to examine the newer techniques along with parameters that need to be considered in the decision-making process for optimal functional and esthetic results. The parameters that need to be considered during the decision-making process for CL include the patient’s restorative needs and esthetic expectations, supracrestal attachment, level of bone, and gingival phenotype. While gingivectomy with or without osseous resection is the traditional approach, more recently less invasive procedures have been used including dental lasers, orthodontic extrusion, and lip repositioning. Correct evaluation of the patient’s anatomical factors, restorative and esthetic needs should lead to the utilization of the most appropriate procedure. Adequate time for healing should be allowed prior to the final restoration for the most stable and predictable long-term result.