An oral examination of Mrs. Connors, a new patient, reveals numerous restorations and two porcelain crowns. Mrs. Connors has been concerned about two maxillary molars where floss shreds or breaks. She also mentions that her gums "always hurt around my big crown." The MOST likely cause for Mrs. Connors's difficulty in flossing is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The "big crown" described in the question is likely poorly contoured and extends beyond the natural tooth contours. Such overhanging restorations cause numerous challenges to interproximal cleaning including increased retention of plaque, bacteria, and food. Because the restoration does not properly adapt to tooth contours, maneuvering floss is difficult and ineffective. These difficulties result in damage to the gingival tissues.

An Oral Examination of Mrs