MAINLINE DENTAL ARTS
Main Line Dental Arts is a premier specialty periodontal and dental implant practice in Narberth, PA. Dedicated to restoring and preserving your oral health with compassionate, cutting-edge care.
Main Line Dental Arts is a premier specialty periodontal and dental implant practice in Narberth, PA. Dedicated to restoring and preserving your oral health with compassionate, cutting-edge care.
Exposing Sound Tooth Structure to Save Severely Broken or Decayed Teeth from Extraction
When a tooth breaks off near or below the gumline, or when deep dental decay extends beneath the bone margin, a general dentist cannot securely place a dental crown, bridge, or filling without violating the tooth's "biological width" (the natural seal of gum and bone attached to the tooth).
Attempting to cap a tooth without adequate clearance causes chronic bleeding, persistent gum inflammation, and premature restoration failure. Functional Crown Lengthening is a surgical procedure performed by our periodontists to carefully recontour the surrounding gum tissue and bone margin, exposing at least 2 to 3 millimeters of healthy, sound tooth structure.
This essential procedure saves teeth that would otherwise be deemed "hopeless" and marked for extraction, enabling your family dentist to anchor a strong, long-lasting crown.
You may benefit from this treatment if you experience any of the following:
We evaluate 3D X-rays and measure the depth of the fracture or decay relative to the alveolar crest to determine exact bone recontouring requirements.
Under local anesthesia, a minor flap is elevated, and any deep decay or fractured enamel fragments are meticulously cleaned and visualized.
A millimeter or two of crestal bone is sculpted away from the margin of the tooth, re-establishing the necessary 3mm biological width clearance.
The gum is sutured at its new, healthier position. After a 6 to 8 week healing period, your restorative dentist can prep and seat a permanent, secure crown.
Allows you to retain your natural tooth root instead of having the tooth pulled.
Restores the biological width, preventing deep bleeding and recurring infection around crowns.
Provides your general dentist with adequate vertical tooth height so the crown grips securely.
Completed in approximately 45 to 60 minutes under local anesthesia with minimal recovery time.
Practical instructions to ensure an anxiety-free visit and smooth, rapid healing.
What to expect from your initial specialist consultation through complete recovery.
Comprehensive 6-point periodontal charting per tooth to assess pocket depths and bone loss stages.
Deep ultrasonic debridement, scaling, root planing, and therapeutic antimicrobial decontamination.
Follow-up check 4 to 6 weeks later to measure pocket depth reduction and gum reattachment.
Personalized 3-month periodontal maintenance cleanings to keep infection in permanent remission.
Periodontists undergo 3 additional years of accredited university surgical residency beyond dental school, focusing exclusively on jawbone biology, tissue regeneration, and micro-precision implant placement. We partner closely with your family dentist to deliver lasting clinical excellence.
Our board-certified periodontists, Dr. Borguet, Dr. Hodgson, and Dr. Susanin, are here to help restore your oral health with compassionate, personalized care.
