NATURAL TOOTH SHAPE

Initial situation

The 28-year-old patient presents with gum recession on the right canine, along with an abrasion and carious lesion at the site of the recession.

The tooth exhibits a brown/orange discoloration at the cervical area, indicating demineralization and decay.

Objective

Restore the natural shape of the tooth by isolating the operative field, removing the cervical carious lesion, and preparing the area for the gingival graft.

It is essential to thicken the marginal gingival tissues to prevent future recurrence of recession.

Treatment

The procedure typically consists of two sessions:

1. Composite restoration (if needed).

2. Gingival graft placement.

However, in simple cases like this, both treatments can be performed in a single session.

Medical considerations

The gingival graft is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia. The post-operative phase is painless at the site of the procedure, but the patient may experience discomfort similar to a burn at the graft harvest site for about 3 to 4 days.

Special hygiene care is required in the 14 days following the procedure to ensure proper healing.

When perfored correctly, the gingival graft typically does not experience recurrence of the condition.