Periodontics and its influence on aesthetics.

The gingival tissues form the soft tissue frame of the dentition and play an important role in dental aesthetics in the maxillary anterior region of the mouth. Alterations to the form and symmetry of the gingivae through developmental, pathologic or iatrogenic factors can significantly alter the appearance and harmony of the natural dentition or prosthetic tooth replacement. This paper describes the techniques available for the management of gingival recession and for surgical lengthening of the clinical crown with particular emphasis on diagnosis and case selection.