Crown Lengthening Procedure (CLP) - Clinical Implications in Esthetics & Retention

Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure performed to expose additional tooth structure for restorative or aesthetic purposes. It plays a vital role in preserving periodontal health by maintaining the biologic width, which includes the junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment, totalling approximately 2.04 mm. Careful evaluation of factors such as probing depth, keratinised gingiva width, crown-to-root ratio, and the distance from cemento-enamel junction to bone is essential for treatment planning. Techniques like gingivectomy, undisplaced flaps, or apically displaced flaps are selected based on clinical and aesthetic needs.In aesthetic zones, precise gingival zenith positioning and harmony with the smile line are crucial, with a minimum healing period of 21 weeks before final restoration to ensure stability and predictability.