Help! Crown Lengthening

[ispy]

I have had a crown on tooth #14 for a year, with no root canal (it was a big filling). The gum has been bothering me, bleeding when I floss, some puss. I went to a new dentist, who said the crown is not situated properly: it has a gap that is allowing bacteria to get trapped and grow in there, and there is no way for me to keep it clean. He said it needs to be replaced, and I will need crown lengthening surgery. (He says the crown next to it on #15, which was a root canal, has the same problem and needs the same treatment, but that tooth hasn't been bothering me). I am literally going to have to put this on about 5 credit cards right at Christmas time. He is a good dentist in La Jolla, CA, who has been there for a long time and has good reviews from patients on Yelp haha. Do I spend $75 I don't have to get a second opinion, or does this sound right and I just go for it and use the $75 towarads the $750 I have to pay for the crown/surgery? Don't mean to put you on the spot, I won't hold you to it, I am just asking for opinions..... I tried to attach the Xrays to this message, but they are a TIF file not a jpeg file and the forum won't let me attach them to the message. If you are interested enough haha, I can email you the xray....

 

[Dr Miles Madison]

Based on your description it does sound like a crown lengthening procedure is needed. This procedure is usually done by a periodontist. Is your new dentist a periodontist? If not where did he get trained to perform this procedure. This is a precise procedure that most genetal dentists do not get trained to do in dental school, and this procedure cannot be done with a laser.

 

[ispy]

Wow, that is interesting to hear. The assistant told me they would use laser, unless it required taking away bone, at which point they would need to use a scalpel. Here is his bio from his website:

"Dr. Cunningham graduated from Dental School at University of Southern California in 1988. He received his BS in business administration from USC as well. Dr. Cunningham graduated from the Las Vegas Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry in 1995 and is an associate professor at UCSD, treating needy patients and training undergraduate pre-dental students. Dr. Cunningham has had extensive post graduate training in the fields of Implantology, Bone and Tissue Grafting, Cosmetics, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Orthodontics and Invisalign Clear Braces. His 20 years of clinical and teaching experience has enabled Dr. Cunningham to restore thousands of smiles. Working with dental Implants during that time has enabled Dr. Cunningham to educate his patients on the incredible benefits and options to best serve their needs. Dr. Cunningham was previously the director of a four doctor office where he was fortunate to complete thousands of cosmetic makeovers. Many of these cases included one or more of the following treatment modalities; full mouth reconstruction, implants, veneers, bridges, crowns, Invisalign and orthodontics."

Being an Associate Professor at UCSD (San Diego) made me a bit more comfortable, does the above answer your question?

Thanks so much for taking the time!