Gingival Line of Upper Anterior Teeth

The repositioned implant (1,2) heals normally 4.5 months postop (Fig.1,3,4).  One problem is that the gingival line is too high (Fig.1).  Normally, the gingival line of a lateral is below the line connecting the central and canine (Fig.2). 

What has been done is to trim the distal aspect of the abutment/implant (Fig.5 black area, Fig.6 white area) so that the provisional can move mesially to close the mesial diastema (Fig. 5 pink, compare to Fig.4).

In order to let the gingiva grow coronally (Fig.7 arrow), the buccal aspect of the abutment/implant should be trimmed (black area).  The drawback of downward growth of the gingiva is that the provisional and final crown looks wider.

The patient returns because of loose crown 1.5 months post abutment/implant trimming.  After re-trimming, impression and temporization, the gingival line appears to be more acceptable (Fig.8).  The distal diastema remains (Fig.9).

Return to Upper Incisor Immediate Implant

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 12/23/2014, last revision 01/19/2018