In the dental literature, a biotype typically refers to the thickness of your gum tissue that surrounds your teeth or dental implant restorations. This thickness has major effects on the esthetic outcome of your front teeth. A thick biotype is typically easier to manage and allows a more predictable response if handled correctly. The gum tissue between the teeth (papilla) is typically shorter and thicker which has more blood supply to handle healing and insult better. Many times teeth tend to have a more squared shape. Thin biotypes are very difficult to manage and expertise of the dentist must be at the highest level to provide natural appearance of the gum tissue that resembles the teeth next to it. Many times extra procedures are required with additional appointments to maintain tissue and get the best outcome. Unfortunately, it is a common oversite by the inexperienced clinician, but once the tissue has changed, it is almost always non-reversable. What does attached tissue mean?
In my next blog, we’ll discuss the importance for the long-term success of the dental implant solution.