Crown elongation surgery, also called coronary elongation, allows the normally visible part of the tooth to be reached when it is inaccessible due to a major fracture or severe wear and tear. It is then used as a preparatory surgery for a restoration. A crown extension can also be performed during deep carious lesions, or in order to offer a more aesthetic smile in case of a gingival smile.

This procedure consists of reshaping the gums and bone around the affected teeth. All this is done in such a way as to respect the biological space, i.e. the vertical dimension of the 3 mm high epithelial-conjunctival attachment.

• Prepare the surface for a new restoration;
• Collect a sufficient quantity of the dental substance required for the placement of a crown;
• Provide a more aesthetic smile.

• A crown extension surgery is used to predict the results of subsequent restorations;
• Prevents periodontal problems;
• Increases the aesthetics of the teeth;
• High satisfaction rate.

• Risk of increasing interdental space and creating unsightly “black holes”;
• Risk of developing sensitivity to the roots of treated teeth;
• Risk of obtaining an uneven result.

• Progression of decay to the root of the tooth and possibility of developing an abscess;
• Nerve and alveolar bone damage;
• Worsening of the fracture or dental wear;
• Gingival (gingivitis) and periodontal (periodontitis) disorders of various kinds.

• A local anaesthetic is first administered to avoid any pain;
• Small incisions are made in the gingival tissues that support the tooth to be treated, but also, sometimes, in adjacent tissues to ensure uniformity of the result;
• The excess gum is removed to provide better access to the tooth. A certain amount of bone substance can also be removed if the situation requires it;
• The wound is cleaned and the gum is closed with fine sutures to optimize healing;
• The procedure is completed by the application of a periodontal dressing;
• The healing of the treated site will be fully completed after two or three months, depending on the precautions taken by the patient.

Please note that these recommendations are provided for information purposes only and that the best recommendations are those of your dentist or specialist who performed the transplant.

The following is a list of the most common recommendations from practitioners:

• Take prescribed or recommended analgesics;
• Take the prescribed antibiotics;
• Use a prescribed antiseptic mouthwash according to its recommendations;
• Avoid brushing teeth near the wound;
• The stitches are fragile. Some are melting, some are not. It is necessary to be informed of the specific care according to each case. It should be noted that sutures often fall off by themselves;
• Avoid intense sporting activities as recommended;
• Avoid foods that are too acidic, very hot, salty or vinegar;
• In case of bleeding, apply a sterile compress to the wound and maintain pressure for 15 minutes. When lying down, keep your head elevated by adding an extra pillow.

Some contraindications may apply depending on the patient’s medical condition, oral health status and/or the condition of the tooth to be treated:

• General contraindications related to any surgery;
• Inadequate oral hygiene;
• Poor prognosis of the tooth;
• Risk of furcation damage, the area where the roots divide in the alveolar bone;
• Risk of affecting the periodontium and/or adjacent teeth;
• Risk of unsightly results.