The aesthetic guidelines of the mucogingival complex for fixed prosthodontics

Until the 1980s, aesthetic dentistry focused its attention primarily on the replication and improvement of tooth structure by developing modifications of porcelain-fused-to-metal crown restorations, incorporated in porcelain systems in combination with adhesive technology. The introduction of new, improved, or modified periodontal surgical techniques addresses nearly all mucogingival challenges, except for the loss of papillae. Therefore, it is of critical importance to develop and define aesthetic guidelines for treatment of the mucogingival complex. In these guidelines, the aesthetic analysis of a treatment is divided into an evaluation of the mucogingiva and that of the tooth structure. Correction of mucogingival discrepancies is a prerequisite for aesthetic success in dental treatment. The learning objective of this article is to review the mucogingival discrepancies and examine a variety of potential solutions.