Aesthetics in periodontology

Abstract:

Dental requirements today are mostly of aesthetic nature, including aesthetic periodontal interventions. The most common periodontal aesthetic problems are gummy smile, gingival hyperplasia caused by medications, gingival recession and the so-called black triangles. Although most aesthetic problems can be managed surgically, some require a different therapeutic approach either due to patient’s wishes or due to dentist’s inability to perform a surgery. Indications for mucogingival surgery (a thin or completely missing vestibular bone lamellae, gingival attachment, coronal attachment and depth of the vestibulum) are interventions of secondary importance to the maintenance of periodontal health. Aesthetic demands of the patients and the morphological characteristics of the tissue are the reasons why dentists perform the treatment. The most common plastic surgery procedures are enlargement of the attached gingiva, covering and stopping further gum recession, which is achieved by using free gingival or connective epithelial grafts and coronary advanced flap. 

Key words:
gingival recession; oral surgical procedures; periodontal disesaes; periodontics