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Should a Gingivectomy Be Peformed Before a Crown is Placed?

I have painful bulge of skin around a tooth that had a root canal 3 years ago, and now need a crown. Should a gingivectomy be peformed before a crown is placed?

Doctor Answers 6

Gingivectomy Before Crown?

April 17th, 2012
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Sounds to me as if you have an infectious or inflammatory process going on around your tooth. This may indicate a failing root canal treatment, periodontal infection or even a fractured tooth.  Make sure to find out if anything like this is occuring prior to having a new crown placed.

Web reference: http://www.drbdorfman.com

Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD


Phoenix Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

Is A Gingivectomy Needed Prior To Having A Crown?

March 11th, 2012
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I would not pursue a crown until you have had the tooth examined to determine the cause of the painful bulge.  This could be a sign of a recurrent infection of the tooth, a periodontal infection, or a crack in the tooth.  When it is determined that  a crown can and should be placed, a gingivectomy may be needed if their is insufficient tooth above the gums.  We use a soft tissue laser to perform this procedure to allow for it to be minimally invasive.  The patient is rarely even sore after the procedure and there is no bleeding or need for sutures.  

Scott Young, DDS

Gingevectomy

March 9th, 2012
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A dental tooth crown should not be placed before you address the painful bulge.  It may indicate that there is excessive decay or that there is a failure in the root canal.  You should have a candid conversation (maybe multiple opinions) about the tooth and the prognosis before investing more money in it. 

Lawrence Singer, DMD

Lawrence Singer, DMD
Washington Dentist
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Gingivectomy sometimes necessary before placing a crown

March 8th, 2012
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A "painful bulge" on the gum around a tooth is something that should be addressed prior to placing a crown. A gingivectomy, while sometimes necessary before completing a crown procedure, may not be what's needed in this particular case. 

Rafael Morales, DDS

Rafael Morales, DDS
Boca Raton Dentist

Gingivectomy Before Crown Placement

March 8th, 2012
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If there is indeed excess gum tissue, it should be removed. The real question should be "Why is there excess gum tissue?" If it is caused by an active gum or nerve infection, that issue must be dealt with first. 

Jay Neuhaus, DDS

Gingivectomy before dental crown

March 7th, 2012
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In the situations when there is a growth of the gingiva in the area where the crown margin is supposed to be, the small gingivectomy under local anesthesia can be easily performed. After the tooth is preped for the crown and before the temporary crown is placed, gingivectomy should be performed

Olga Kharevich, DMD, PhD (in memoriam)

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