Small tissue, big issue

Abstract

One of the most important parts of an ideal smile is the presence of healthy gingiva. Gingival replacement is often a component of comprehensive prosthodontics. Gingival replacement prostheses have historically been used to replace lost tissue when other methods (e.g., surgery or regenerative procedures) were considered unpredictable or impossible. With this method, large tissue volumes are easily replaced. Gingival prostheses take several forms, and various authors have described their uses and methods of construction. Tissue replacement prostheses may be used to replace tissue lost through surgical gingival procedures, trauma, ridge resorption, or traumatic tooth extraction. From a prosthodontic point of view, restoration of these areas can be accomplished with either fixed or removable prostheses. Gingival prostheses may be made from acrylics, composite resins, silicones, or porcelain-based materials. Undercuts or dental attachments are used to secure removable prostheses, which are esthetically pleasing and easy to maintain. Healthy gingival tissues affect the esthetics, probably much more than teeth, a factor which is most often neglected in esthetic treatment planning. Periodontal flap surgeries often leave open embrasure spaces which are a huge esthetic deficit for the patient. This case report describes the use of a gingival prosthesis fabricated by valplast - a flexible nylon-based material to recreate the lost soft tissue esthetics.