Tooth lengthening can be performed for three main reasons:
Aesthetics: If the gums are visible along with the teeth when the patient smiles and the teeth are in square form, it may cause aesthetic concern. In this case, appropriate tooth lengthening surgery reduces the appearance of the gums and lengthens the teeth. This surgery is applied to the teeth in the front area of the upper jaw; The teeth that appear when the patient smiles are evaluated and this procedure can be achieved with a single surgery for each required tooth.
Function: In deeply decayed or broken teeth, sometimes the decay/fracture line may coincide with or go below the gum line, in which case the tooth can be filled. or tooth lengthening surgery will be required for veneering. Appropriate drying (isolation) may not be achieved in fillings made without this surgery; This results in the filling falling out. In crowns made without this surgery, the retention decreases and this may result in the crowns coming off again and again or even being broken/swallowed.
Removal of gingival growths: Especially in hard, fibrotic gingival growths that do not heal completely after initial periodontal treatment. There is a need for tooth lengthening surgery.
The most important issue to consider in tooth lengthening surgery is the periodontal pocket depth. If the pocket depth is sufficient, gingivectomy/gingivoplasty surgery, which only intervenes in the gums, is sufficient. Gingivectomy means cutting and removing the gum. Gingivoplasty is the removal of irregularities in the gums. In these procedures, scalpel, laser or electrocauterization can be used to cut the gum. If the pocket depth is less than the desired amount of tooth elongation, intervention is required in the alveolar bone surrounding the tooth. In this case, flap surgery is performed. The gum is cut to the desired amount, then scraped away from the tooth and bone surface; The bone is exposed. After the desired amount of extension is achieved, the gum edges are stitched together. Regardless of the preferred method, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Afterwards, the patient can be given medication.
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