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jlovegren · Dec 1, 2006, 06:14 PM

I'm under a new dental plan that does not cover crown lengthening. I've had a couple of crowns replaced and a couple of new ones by a new dentist under the new plan.

For each I was charged a $750 fee for "Crown lengthening". I'd never heard of it before and I'm not sure I got a good explanation of it.

Having researched the subject recently, I find that it involves, at minimum some removal of gum tissue. I don't recall any cutting of my gums or anything else beyond the kind of work I'd had done with other crowns with past providers. As I read about crown lengthening, I certainly was never directed to do any special gum care as would have been necessary after cutting.

I'm wondering if the "crown lengthening" procedures were even done! It seems like one of those easy bill padding schemes that work unless someone seriously questions the practice?

Is anybody familiar with this issue?

Could another dentist examine the work and determine if the crown lengthening had been performed?

Thanks,

Jon

starvingstudent · Feb 12, 2010, 06:22 PM

I'm an upperclassman dental student and I can tell you that crown lengthening surgeries are bloody as hell. They have to cut your gums, flap it backward, and start drilling away the bone underneath. Then they have to suture your gums. Post-operative instructions... the perio residents always tell the patient to take ibuprofen to relieve the swelling and discomfort afterwards. They may tell you to eat soft and non-sticky foods so the sutures stay in place.. etc. At our school, you need to come back for a follow up about 1 or 2 weeks later so they can check that healing is good and no other complications arise and possibly remove the suture. Unless your dentist covered your eyes throughout the procedure, you should be able to tell that surgery was done on you (bloody gloves, bloody gauze, the assistant has to constantly suction blood away). If what you're saying is true, it seems like you didn't have it done and they just scammed you. If you had it done, one can take a look at some before/after x-rays and see the difference. I suggest you request these x-rays and have a second opinion from a PERIODONTIST.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 12, 2010, 07:42 PM

Is there a prize, a brand new person looks though 1000's of posts and finds one 4 year old to answer.

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