Root reshaping: An integral component of periodontal surgery

It is the aim of this article to present a surgical option to the tradition al method of returning lost biologic width where invasion of the junctional and/or connective tissue attachment associated with a tooth has occurred. The alternative to conventional osseous resection involves reshaping the ex isting tooth surface in combination with conservative removal of the suppor ting alveolar bone to create the width needed for the restoration to be bio logically acceptable. This procedure accomplishes several goals: (1) minimu m supporting bone is removed; (2) deleterious root surface anatomy, such as grooves, concavities, and cementoenamel projections, is diminished; (3) a smooth root surface that is more biologically acceptable to soft tissue is created; (4) Class I and II furcation lesions may be decreased or eliminate d; and(5) improved gingival contours and space for restorative materials ca n be created in situations in which close root proximity is present. This a rticle will present a step-by-step approach to using root reshaping as an a lternative to traditional crown lengthening.