Article:

One of the crucial aspects of successful esthetic restorative dentistry is controlling gingival contours. Physiologic contours or emergence profiles are important for gingival health, as overcontoured restorations can lead to gingival inflammation. Controlling the contours of final restorations begins with pre-planning before ever picking up a handpiece and bur. Final 3-dimensional tooth positioning, the type of restoration, and the desired color change from the existing clinical situation dictate tooth structure removal and were discussed in the two previous articles in this series. This article will discuss how to control the gingival contours of the final restorations in the laboratory.