This paper describes a retrospective study in which the gingival and periodontal status was assessed at crowned and natural teeth. 510 crowned teeth and 510 natural teeth in 109 subjects were examined. The time elapsed between active therapy and the clinical examination was: (i) 1 to 3 years for 270 teeth; (ii) 3 to 5 years for 168 teeth; (iii) 6 to 9 years for 72 teeth. 90% of the patients were on a recall schedule that required prophylaxis once every 3 months; 8% returned every 6 months and 2% once a month. Plaque index and gingival index were assessed at 4 sites per tooth and pocket depth at 6 sites per tooth, the highest reading per tooth being used for the statistical analysis. The results indicated that there was no difference in plaque and gingival indices between crowned and natural teeth. In addition, the gingival status of the crowned teeth was good, irrespective of the position of the crown margin (subgingival, at the gingival margin or supragingival).