Vascular basis of mucosal color

Standardized photographs of defined areas of the alveolar gingiva in operated and non-operated patients were taken and assigned to groups with same characteristics after color comparisons. In addition, histologic and immunohistologic analyses of gingival specimens were performed for qualitative and quantitative assessment of vessels and vascularization. Finally, colors and number of vessels were correlated.Our results demonstrated three different constellations of colors of the alveolar gingiva in healthy patients. The operated patients could not be grouped because of disparate depiction. There was a clear correlation between color and vessel number in the alveolar gingiva.Our investigations revealed the connections between vascularization and gingival color. Recommendations for specific change or even selection of colors based on the results cannot be given, but the importance of vascularly based incision lines was demonstrated.Esthetic rehabilitation in dento-alveolar surgery was focused solely on reconstruction of position, shape and color of teeth for a long time. Significant improvement was achieved when reconstruction of form and volume of the peri- and paradental or periimplant soft tissue was added to the protocol. Esthetic impression depends on a coordinated interaction of red and white colors of dental and gingival structures. Nowadays the dental color is chosen in a very differentiated and individual way allowing the patient him/herself to select the color of the teeth to be replaced according to the neighbouring or missing teeth. In contrast the red color of the gingiva originates from acrylics, composite resins, silicones or porcelain-based materials which lack the range of differentiation of the white color. In cases without reestablishment of the red color the present red color is taken over regardless of color changes due to surgery. The role of the red color of the soft tissue is still unclear because of lack of complete fundamental knowledge, makin