Clinical Evaluation of A Modified Technique for Surgical Crown Lengthening to the Molars Destroyed Below the Gingiva

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of a modified technique for surgical crown lengthening implemented the molars destroyed below the gingiva.Methods The alternative to the traditional method involves lowering the height of alveolar bone in the destroyed region to rebuild the biological width.All of these 7 molars,with certain region destroyed below the gingiva by caries or fracture were considered as not suitable for the traditional prosthetics methods.They were treated by this modified method of surgical crown lengthening.Restoration was accomplished on these teeth three month later.Periodontal index such as tooth mobility,plaque index,probing depth and bleeding index were recorded and followed up for more than 15 months.Results The mean follow-up period was 21.7 months(ranged from 15 to 24 months).Result of surgery and restoration of these 7 teeth was satisfactory.The gingival tissue remained healthy and esthetic with good function.Conclusion As an alternative to the traditional method,this modified surgical crown lengthening can not only meet the demand of prosthetics in the destroyed region,but also reduce the negative consequences for excessive lowering the bone height in the other region.