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Gum Surgery and a New Crown
Diagnosis
This young lady, Patient #3, was a senior in high school and was so ashamed of the short crown on her left central incisor she would refuse to smile. Because she did not smile, her classmates thought she was unfriendly. For central incisors to be considered attractive they must have a height width ratio of 75 to 85%. Meaning if the tooth is 8 millimeters wide it should be approximately 10 millimeters long. This tooth was too short.
Treatment
She was referred to the periodontist (gum specialist) to have some gum removed from the left central incisor and the right lateral incisor. After the gum healed, we placed a new crown on the tooth.
Future Treatment
She sent me a graduation photo and she was very happy with her new smile. She smiled at everyone. She was considered warm and friendly by her classmates and had more friends than ever. She told me that it changed her life.
We can expect porcelain fused to metal crowns to last an average of 12 to 14 years.
Contents © 2004 Russ Williamson, DMD All Rights Reserved