Preprosthetic clinical crown lengthening procedures in the anterior maxilla

Clinical crown lengthening procedures (CCLP) are used to enhance aesthetics and/or provide adequate tooth structure for placement and retention of a restoration while respecting the attachment apparatus. When restoration margins extend beyond the biologic width, inflammation and anatomic changes can develop. Anterior CCLP are indicated to increase the labial exposure of the clinical crown and/or the sound tooth structure coronal to the bone crest. Preservation of the interproximal papillae is mandatory to obtain desirable final results in the aesthetic region. This article illustrates various methods of CCLP used to achieve successful oral rehabilitation in the anterior maxilla.