Which surgical technique is typically employed for crown lengthening in patients with excessive gingival tissue?

The surgical technique typically employed for crown lengthening in patients with excessive gingival tissue is the gingivectomy or crown lengthening flap procedure. This approach aims to reshape the gingival tissue to expose more of the tooth structure, thereby allowing for the placement of a dental restoration, such as a crown. When excessive gingival tissue covers the crown, it can compromise the aesthetics and functionality of the restoration.

In a gingivectomy, the excess gingival tissue is surgically removed to reduce pocket depths and allow for more favorable access to the underlying tooth structure. Alternatively, the crown lengthening flap procedure involves incising the gingiva and reflecting the flap to access the underlying bone and soft tissue, allowing for a more precise adjustment of the gum line and the potential removal of bone if necessary.

These procedures are best suited for cases where there are aesthetic concerns, functional limitations, or when it is necessary to ensure that sufficient tooth structure is available to adequately support a restoration. Other surgical techniques mentioned, such as bone grafting, tooth extraction, and periodontal scaling, do not address the specific need to reshape the gingival tissue for crown lengthening.