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Biologic Shaping

April 30, 2010
Author
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Daniel Melker, DDS
Biologic Shaping cover image

When performing conventional crown lengthening, the previous margin of the old restoration is used to determine the necessary amount of bone to be removed so there will be adequate space for the biologic width. By adequately creating a space for the biologic width, the new margin will not infringe upon it.

A potential problem of this procedure is that a significant amount of bone will be removed, weakening the tooth or creating a weakened furcation area. The more bone removed in the furcation, the greater the likelihood of future problems with maintenance. It is critical to try to preserve as much bone as possible in order to support the tooth, especially in the furcation area. The clinical prerequisites and steps for success with biologic shaping are as follows:

Figure 1

Figure 1: Biologic width violation along with a severe inflammatory response.

Figure 2

Figure 2: With the provisional removed, the surgeon now has the ability to treat the tooth vertically.

Figure 3

Figure 3: The depth of the margins can be seen with inflammation noted on the distal of tooth #19.

Figure 4

Figure 4: A split thickness flap is retracted to see the underlying defects and location of the existing margin. Note the reverse architecture present and close location of the existing margin to the bone.

Figure 5

Figure 5: The use of a coarse diamond bur on the tooth surface to remove the old margin. By doing this procedure first, there may be less osseous removal after completion of shaping.

Figure 6

Figure 6: The tooth is grossly smoothed. With the old margin removed, space for the biologic width is created without excessive bone removal.

Figure 7

Figure 7: A superfine diamond bur is used to further smooth the tooth surface. This allows for long-term maintenance of the tooth.

Figure 8

Figure 8: A diamond round bur #8 is used to create a parabolic architecture. A parabolic architecture is created to mimic the soft tissue contours, which are created after the new formation of the biologic width. The highest point of bone should be interproximally, as is the soft tissue. The buccal and lingual bone should be in a more apical position.

  1. All previous restorative materials and decay should be removed.
  2. A core buildup should be placed where necessary to add volume to the teeth. The material should be a composite-bonded resin. The core helps the periodontist determine where the final margin placement of the new restoration will be.
  3. Acrylic provisionals should be placed with Durelon™ (3M™ ESPE™; St. Paul, Minn.) temporary cement. Durelon is antimicrobial and helps decrease sensitivity.
  4. Remove provisional at time of surgery for access. Ideally, a mosquito forcep is used with a gentle rock at the incisal third of the occlusal surface of the provisional.
  5. Shape the tooth surface and remove old margin, as well as 360 degrees of CEJs. A flat-ended bur with a 4-degree taper is best for biologic shaping. A diamond grit is best.
  6. Correct any reverse architecture and remove any necessary bone where biologic width issues are still present. The goal is to create an osseous contour identical to the soft tissue contours that take place when forming a new biologic width.
  7. Add sufficient connective to protect the bone from bacterial infiltration. The connective also protects underlying periodontal tissues from impression material and cementation irritation.
  8. Once the flaps are adapted using 5-0 chromic gut suture just coronal to the osseous support, potassium oxalate should be used to help decrease sensitivity. The liquid is applied to the root surface for 45 to 60 seconds and then lightly air-dried. Repeat two to three times.
  9. Cement provisional with polycarboxylate cement (i.e., Durelon or DENTSPLY Tylok®; York, Pa.). Tylok may be more ideal for cementation during surgery, as it is water-soluble.
  10. Homecare consists of chlorhexidine used twice daily, in both the morning and evening. PreviDent® (Colgate; New York, N.Y.) should be used at bedtime to help decrease sensitivity. After meals, the patient should rinse with water or Listerine to remove excess food particles.
  11. At four weeks, the provisionals are either remade or relined leaving 1 mm of space to allow for continued biologic width growth in a coronal direction. No margination of the tooth surface should take place at this time.
  12. At 14 weeks, chamfer margins are placed just coronal to the gingival collar and impressions are taken. A recommendation of one #7 SilTrax® (Pascal Company; Bellevue, Wash.) cord be placed in the sulcus for retraction of tissue. When endodontics is present the new margin may be placed within the sulcus. In these cases, a ferrule effect is recommended.
Figure 9

Figure 9: Parabolic architecture created for ideal architecture for placement of tissue over the bone.

Figure 10

Figure 10: Tissue sutured just coronal to the bone with 5-0 chromic suture material.

Figure 11

Figure 11: Occlusal view showing 360 degrees of perfect tooth surface to place a margin at the gingival collar once it has healed.

Figure 12

Figure 12: Final restoration with margins placed into the sulcus.

Reasons for Biologic Shaping

  1. Replace or supplement the current indications for clinical crown lengthening.
  2. Minimize removal of supporting osseous structure.
  3. Facilitate supragingival or intrasulcular margins to preserve the biologic width.
  4. Eliminate developmental grooves.
  5. Eliminate previous subgingival restorative margins.
  6. Reduce or eliminate furcation anatomy and thus facilitate margin placement.
  7. Allow supragingival or intracrevicular impression techniques.
  8. Facilitate hygiene and maintenance procedures.
  9. Reduce or eliminate cervical enamel projections.
  10. Facilitate ideal restorative emergence profile. Flat is better than fat contours.

Daniel J. Melker, DDS, is in private practice and can be reached at 727-725-0100.