Palato-gingival grooves: hidden etiologic factors of periodontitis.

Palato-gingival grooves are developmental anomalies of maxillary incisors which contribute to severe localized periodontitis and loss of anterior teeth. Because these grooves or their root extensions are covered by periodontal tissues, they are easy to overlook as etiologic factors. This article describes palato-gingival grooves and discusses their prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment.