Esthetic crown lengthening: appropriate diagnosis for achieving gingival balance.
A gummy smile poses a restorative challenge for dentists attempting to achieve ideal esthetics. Many have advocated the use of a gingivectomy or laser-assisted gingival contouring procedure. However, this simplistic approach can potentially create a mucogingival defect or a biological width violation. To avoid these periodontal-restorative complications, it is important during treatment planning to assess the anatomical relationship that resulted in the gummy smile and choose the appropriate surgical treatment to eliminate this condition.
Kao
Richard T
RT
University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry, USA.
Dault
Scott
S
Frangadakis
Kenneth
K
Salehieh
J J
JJ
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016556:Crown Lengthening; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012904:Smiling; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology