There have been a great number of developments in clinical techniques and dental materials in dentistry to date.
Looking at these developments, while it could be seen that functional elements such as mastication were prioritized rather
than aesthetic aspect in the past, aesthetic needs of patients have steadily increased over time and accordingly the aesthetic
has become considered a priority in the development of dentistry. Although the first to be considered in discussing the
aesthetic in clinical dentistry will be the white aesthetic that is the tooth part of prosthesis, the pink aesthetic that refers to
the harmony of such prosthesis with gingiva can be an important consideration not to be ignored aesthetically. However,
the harmony with the gingiva often cannot be obtained only by the beautiful prosthesis, and in particular, the pontic
and implant areas have poor conditions to achieve the gingival (pink) aesthetic due to the absorption of alveolar ridge
compared to natural teeth. Among the most important elements of the gingival aesthetic are the gingival level and the
interproximal papilla height. It is very difficult to make the gingival aesthetic in the case of insufficient alveolar ridge, and
the recovery of ridge volume and contour is necessary in order to overcome this condition. To this end, the most widely
used method is the “connective tissue graft”. Many techniques of the connective tissue graft have already been introduced
for the ridge augmentation, and each technique has different purposes, and advantages and disadvantages. Rather, due to
the excessive amount of techniques, there is confusion about selecting the right technique at a certain time.
However, the goal is clear. Ways to increase the success rates must be found, and at the same time, a more favorable
way to the gingival aesthetic is to be chosen. Thus, in this study, considerations for the gingival aesthetic that makes
harmony and the techniques to achieve it are discussed.
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