Achieving gingival esthetics

INTRODUCTION: Dentists traditionally have thought of periodontal treatment as a means of saving the teeth while leaving the patient with an esthetic problem. This no longer is true. The goal of this article is to show how esthetic crown-lengthening procedures, papillary regeneration and root coverage may enhance the overall esthetic results of periodontal treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Esthetic crown lengthening aims not only to provide biological width for the healthy restoration of teeth, but also to permit esthetic gingival and prosthetic contours. Papillary regeneration aims to fill the dark spaces that may occur interproximally with the progression of periodontitis or as a result of tooth alignment. Finally, root coverage procedures now can provide predictable results with the application of connective-tissue periodontal grafts and plastic surgery techniques. This article presents a case report for each type of procedure, each of which resulted in improved esthetics and cosmetic appearance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Periodontal treatment now is part of the solution for certain esthetic problems. While technically demanding, these procedures, in the hands of an appropriately trained and experienced clinician, can improve the overall results of patient treatment.