[Adherent gingiva: therapeutic approaches as a function of different clinical situations]

Mucogingival surgery has been indicated for many years in cases of insufficiency or absence of attached gingiva. With time results of clinical studies have led to reconsidering this concept. Some authors today believe that systematic increase of attached gingiva is a therapeutic abuse. It is necessary to find a satisfactory attitude in the midst of this debate. Only the careful analysis of the clinical situation considered with the whole patient's dental problem can guide our clinical choice. Our attitude will be different if we are confronted with a natural dentition, prosthetic requirements on orthodontic movement.