Biologic Esthetics by Gingival Framework Desing Part 2 Gingival Esthetics
Biologic Esthetics by Gingival Framework Desing Part 2 Gingival Esthetics
Biologic Esthetics by Gingival Framework Desing Part 2 Gingival Esthetics
T
here are three fundamental components to pre- general manner. In this article, specific techniques to
senting a beautiful and healthy dentition. The achieve this goal are presented.
first is tooth morphology, the second is gingival
architecture, and the third is the relationship of the lip
to all other components. All of these components will
create a positive or negative impression depending on GINGIVAL ESTHETICS EVALUATION
color, morphology, and tooth alignment. CRITERIA
Acquiring and maintaining gingival health and oral
esthetics is the goal when planning definitive restora- It is necessary to pay attention to the gingival frame-
tions. There are several factors to consider when evalu- work1 and to understand the balance between the cor-
ating gingival health, such as the marginal periodontal onal structure and gingiva (Fig 1). Generally, healthy
condition and tooth alignment. In part 1 of this article, gingiva has its own features, which vary according to
the importance of paying attention to the periodontal the tooth shape (square, triangle, or ovoid). More-
condition and constructing a healthy gingival architec- over, the horizontal alignment of the cementoenamel
ture during prosthesis fabrication was discussed in a junction (CEJ), cervical bone crest, and free gingival
margin usually appear to be similar to the overlying
gingiva2 (Fig 2). Left-right symmetry is one of the most
important factors for a beautiful smile line. To acquire
this symmetry, there should be ideal occlusion and the
teeth should be in an ideal three-dimensional position.
1
Dental Technician, Kyoto, Japan. When patients display this ideal oral environment, it
is unlikely that they will need major prosthetic work
Correspondence to: Yuji Tsuzuki, Ray Dental Labor, Elitz Yamashina
Building 3F, 18-8 Takehanatakenokaidocho Yamashina-ku, Kyoto unless they experience an accident or trauma. Usually
City, Kyoto, Japan. Email: ray710@camel.plala.or.jp patients who require major prosthetic treatment have
Gingival framework
Incisal framework
A: Interdental papilla
B: Interdental bone crest
C: Free gingival margin
E D: CEJ
D E: Cervical bone crest
C
B
Fig 2 Vertical anatomical index of the anterior teeth, gingiva, and alveolar bone. Generally, a healthy periodontium has its
own features that vary according to the tooth shape (square, triangle, ovoid) and that are usually similar to the underlying
horizontal alignment of CEJ, cervical bone crest, and free gingival margin. The gingival framework is maintained by the ver-
tical relationship among CEJ, cervical bone crest, and free gingival margin.3 (Modified from Obama4 with permission.)
a preexisting intraoral condition such as tooth mal tal to have interdental papillae as a landmark for indi-
alignment. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate cation of a healthy periodontal condition. Adequate
the esthetics of the gingiva at the treatment-planning composition of the dentogingival complex7 (tooth,
stage. Otherwise, the treatment options will be limited gingiva, and alveolar bone) (Fig 4) is required for the
to prosthetics. interdental papilla to fill the interproximal space be-
low the contact point. Two-dimensional (mesiodistal,
horizontal, vertical) consideration of the esthetic area
Two-Dimensional Considerations is performed based on five evaluation criteria (Fig 5). It
is generally considered that a dentition with triangular-
Evaluation items of gingival health and esthetics have shaped teeth creates a more pleasing impression than
been enumerated by Fürhauser et al in the concept one with square-shaped teeth in terms of the balance
he named the “pink esthetic score”5 (Fig 3). It is vi- of esthetics of the mouth.
2 5
3
Fig 5 Esthetic evaluation criteria at the dentition level including coronal structures and gingiva. Right-left symmetry and
regularity is evaluated two-dimensionally. As long as healthy periodontium and proper tooth positions are maintained, the
level of the interdental papillae and proximal contact areas are parallel. The shape of the gingival zenith point and triangle
zone changes dramatically according to the shape of the tooth and interdental distance.9 The existing condition of the inter-
dental papillae is determined by these factors.
Class III
Three-Dimensional Considerations and Cohen10 classified alveolar ridge defects (Fig 6),
and soft tissue or hard tissue grafting is sometimes
The volume of the alveolar ridge is composed of hard suggested by the technician according to this classifi-
tissue (alveolar bone), including teeth, and soft tissue cation and diagnosis.
(gingiva). There is much individual variation. Three- Cases 1 and 2 illustrate the use of surgical interven-
dimensional (vertical and horizontal) consideration of tion to improve the prosthetic outcome. In Case 1 (Fig
the alveolar ridge is required in fixed or implant pros- 7), treatment of the patient’s maxillary right anterior
thetic cases. The prosthetic result may often be com- dentition included ridge augmentation with a con-
promised without surgical reconstruction of hard and nective tissue graft. In Case 2 (Fig 8), horizontal and
soft tissues in patients with a defective alveolar ridge. vertical ridge augmentation improved the treatment
Moreover, prosthetic treatment is often compromised outcome of the patient, who presented with a root
and limited without orthodontic and surgical treat- fracture of the maxillary left central incisor.
ment to improve three-dimensional esthetics. Seibert
7a 7b 7c 7d
7e 7f 7g 7h
Figs 7a to 7h The patient, a female in her 20s, complained of dissatisfaction with the esthetics of her fixed partial
denture. Ridge augmentation was performed in the defective edentulous area of the maxillary right lateral incisor us-
ing a connective tissue graft from the palate. The presence of a defect at the pontic site in fixed prosthetic treatment
affects not only the alignment but also the shape of the whole prosthesis. Surgical intervention dramatically improved
the prosthetic condition and the treatment result. (Courtesy of Dr Hiroyuki Takino, Takino Dental Clinic, Japan.)
8a 8b 8c 8d
8e 8f 8g 8h
Figs 8a to 8h The patient, a male in his 20s, presented with a root fracture of the maxillary left central incisor. A
surgical approach to improve soft and hard tissue defects is inevitable in fixed implant prosthodontics. It improves the
treatment result dramatically. The prosthetic condition of this patient was improved by horizontal and vertical ridge
augmentation to restore the alveolar ridge defect. (Courtesy of Dr Kotaro Nakata, Nakata Dental Clinic, Japan.)
Type 2: Alternative
Esthetic disharmony exists at hard and soft tissue level. Adequate improvement
can be expected using a surgical and prosthetic approach.
Type 3: Compromised
Type 4: Creative
Symmetric edentulous area allows some leeway of the gingival framework design.
9a 9b 9c
9d 9e 9f
Figs 9a and 9b The patient wanted to improve the esthetics of her anterior teeth. Orthodontic treatment was
indicated but was not accepted by the patient. Both central incisors are discolored due to previously placed restora-
tions. The maxillary lateral incisors are peg-shaped. The long axes of these teeth are not in harmony. In particular, the
gingival level of the right lateral incisor created disharmony of the gingival framework. Provisional restorations were
fabricated from the diagnostic wax-up to rearrange the balance of the dentition (technique previously described by
Sulikowski and Yoshida11).
Figs 9c and 9d Final restorations on and off of the master cast (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent). The tooth long
axes were balanced, and the gingival framework was controlled by the subgingival contours of the restoration.
Fig 9e The gingival levels were altered by the provisional restorations.
Fig 9f Long axes, size, and proportion of teeth are improved and harmonized. Acceptable esthetics was achieved by
prosthetic treatment alone in this patient. (Courtesy of Kubota Dental Clinic, Japan.)
Figs 10a and 10b The patient wanted to improve the esthetics of the anterior teeth because of their malalignment.
Orthodontic treatment was indicated and recommended, but the patient refused it. The patient was treated using a
prosthetic approach alone. As a result, the maxillary right central incisor underwent root canal therapy, and adjacent
teeth were reshaped.
Figs 10c and 10d Posttreatment photographs. The marginal gingiva is harmonized. Although the patient is satisfied
with the result, this is not an optimal solution to the chief complaint because the tooth positions were not changed
(all-ceramic crown, IPS e.max Press).
11a 11b
11c 11d
11e 11f
11g 11h
11i
11j 11k
11l 11m
11n
12a 12b
12c 12d
Right Left
3
2 5
Fig 13 Some balance must be created and
maintained in the dentition even when perfect
1 symmetry is not required. Factors that influence
the esthetic result of the restored dentition are
enumerated and explained.
Central incisor is the starting point of the dentition. Alignment condition is determined by the size of
1: Tooth align-
teeth and alveolar ridge. Shape and alignment of the central incisor influences the impression of the
ment
mouth, which represents the personality. Acceptable symmetry of the two central incisors is inevitable.
2: Mesial line Mesial line angle produces regularity of the dentition, which continues toward posterior teeth. Some
angle irregularity is allowed according to the existing dentition and the prosthetic condition.
Distal outline produces the contour of the dentition. Harmonized outline of each tooth produces regular-
3: Distal outline
ity of the dentition.
Gingival level affects length of the clinical crown. Symmetry and continuity is required. In this case, gin-
4: Gingival level gival level was controlled by subgingival contouring considering the symmetry and continuity toward the
canine area (high-low-high gingival level relationship).
5: Incisal edge Incisal edge level affects length of the clinical crown as well as the gingival level. In this case, it was
level designed slightly longer to compensate for the incline of the facial cusp line.
Table 2 E
valuation of Coronal-Gingival Balance Before and After Treatment Based on the
Relationship Between Interdental Papillae and Gingival Zenith Points
Gingival zenith
point and
interdental
papilla
Evaluation of Good symmetry of gingival frame- Asymmetric gingival framework and Symmetry of gingival framework
coronal-gingival work and interdental papillae. Tooth irregular undulation exists. Tooth exists to an extent, but undulation is
balance position and periodontium are positions and periodontium are flat due to recession of interdental
within normal limits. Well-balanced unfavorable. Unbalanced coronal- papillae. This condition is often found
coronal-gingival relationship. gingival relationship. with fixed partial denture or implant
cases.
Prosthetic If gingival consideration is not Set position of finish line of the Recession of interdental papillae
approach required, supragingival prosthetic prosthesis must be carefully con- results in black triangles, which must
approach is possible. The dentition sidered. Analysis of axial surfaces be eliminated using half pontics or
can be restored using the anatomi- including subgingival contours the long proximal contact technique.
cal crown shape of the natural teeth. using the provisional restoration is These modifications of the proximal
required. area tend to result in deviation from
the natural anatomical tooth shape.
Form
arrangement
Natural Artificial
CONCLUSIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY
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with clinical cases showing components of the gingival
lery of Natural Teeth for Esthetic Dental Treatment [in Japanese].
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