Gingival contour and clinical crown length: their effect on the esthetic appearance of maxillary anterior teeth.

Fractured, congenitally missing, or avulsed maxillary incisors can often jeopardize the esthetic appearance of the remaining maxillary anterior teeth after orthodontic treatment. In many cases the unesthetic appearance is related to the irregular clinical crown lengths of either the fractured teeth or those that have been substituted for the missing teeth. The results of five cases with either fractured or traumatically avulsed central incisors are reported. Selective tooth intrusion and restorative techniques were used during the finishing stages of orthodontic treatment to improve the final esthetic result. The advantages and disadvantages of the intrusion technique are discussed.