Development of gingiva following surgical exposure of a facially positioned unerupted incisor

A case with a facially positioned, unerupted maxillary incisor is presented as an illustration of the potential of the periodontal tissues to establish a zone of gingiva following surgical intervention. Despite the fact that the tooth had an erupting position entirely within the area of the alveolar mucosa, a zone of keratinized gingiva developed following surgical exposure of the crown of the tooth. This healing potential should be considered when selecting the treatment for facially positioned, unerupted teeth.