Esthetic crown lengthening with concomitant localized gingival depigmentation – A case report

Abstract

Dentofacial aesthetics can have psychological impact, which can manifest as a decreased sense of confidence and self-esteem in both social and work environments. This case report exhibits a method employed to address both the patient’s chief complaint likely post traumatic pigmentation, as well as the moderate case of delayed passive eruption, simultaneously. A healthy 29-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of melanin display on the facials of the maxillary central incisors since placement of a lingual bonded retainer. She also had a mild case of delayed passive eruption, resulting in short clinical crown length. Gingivectomy was performed to remove the melanotic area by making two incisions at the gingival collars of teeth #8 and #9, followed by the raising of a flap to perform osseous reduction on these teeth in order to achieve more ideal anterior display crown lengths. When the patient presented for a 30-month follow up, there was no return of the pigmentation. A minimal rebound of the gingival margins of the upper centrals had occurred. This treatment modality of utilizing an incision technique for removal of pigmented tissue while simultaneously achieving more ideal cuspid length is capable of rendering improved aesthetic results that are predictable and long lasting.