DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2014.v02i09.005

Pages: 593-596

Dental esthetics refers to the many scientific and artistic principles that considered collectively can create a beautiful smile. It deals with maintaining the harmony of the teeth and gingiva in relation to the face. Gingival health and appearance are the primary components for an attractive smile. Large numbers of young patients are concerned with disproportionally small teeth and gingival hyperpigmentation. Melanin pigmentation often occurs in the gingiva resulting in appearance of black gum due to abnormal deposition of melanin. Nd: YAG laser, gallium arsenide aluminium [GAA] laser, and CO2 laser have been employed for removal of melanin hyperpigmentation and gingivoplasty. This case reports combining gingival depigmentation and crown lengthening by gingivoplasty performed in a single appointment using GAA laser.