Vasiliki Koidou

Smile aesthetics and crown lengthening

Vasiliki P. Koidou D.D.S., M.Sc., PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Smile aesthetics have been long studied in an attempt to understand and reproduce attractiveness in both dental elements and gingiva. Understanding the principles and fundamentals of smile aesthetics aids the clinician when treatment planning and delivering aesthetically pleasing smiles.
Crown lengthening represents a surgical technique commonly used to remove excess of gingival and bone tissue in cases of reduced height for retention of prosthetic reconstruction, presence of subgingival caries, root resorption, drug or other reason induced gingival overgrowth, altered passive eruption or other aesthetic concerns. In this context, gingivectomy with or without osseous recontouring and apically repositioned flap with or without osseous recontouring are often employed depending on individualized clinical parameters, such as the presence or not of keratinised tissue, the soft tissue biotype and the biologic width of the individual. Finally, technology through the evolution of dental lasers, scanners and 3D planning further enhance predictability when incorporated in the clinical workflow of everyday clinical practice.

Vasiliki Koidou graduated from the Dental School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2012. Following her DDS, she completed a three-year training program in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery at the University of Minnesota (USA), where she obtained a Certificate in Periodontology and a Master of Science (MSc). In 2017, she relocated to the United Kingdom as she was awarded a fellowship by the International Team for Implantology (ITI) at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). In 2018 and while working privately in London as a specialist periodontist and a lecturer for continuing education courses at the Eastman University College of London (UCL), she commenced a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at Queen Mary University of London. In 2018 she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery. She obtained her PhD degree in 2022. Dr Koidou has authored multiple scientific articles, registered with PubMed. Her research interests focus on the molecular mechanisms of healing around implants and teeth, as well as the application of minimally invasive techniques. In July 2025,Dr Koidou was elected Associate Professor at the Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Dental implant Biology, School of Dentistry of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,