No studies have been published concerning the comparison between gingival and papillary recession in the maxillary esthetic zone (including incisors, canines, and premolars) regarding age and sex. This study addressed this issue. Adults (n = 250) with fully erupted permanent dentitions, healthy gingivae, and natural teeth in the maxillary esthetic area were included. Visual examinations were performed to detect papillary and gingival recession. Space evident apical to the contact area of adjacent teeth was recorded as papillary recession; a cementoenamel junction visible coronal to the buccal gingival margin was recorded as gingival recession. All sites with papillary and gingival recession were significantly associated with age; however, only some sites with gingival and papillary recession were associated with sex. Papillary recession was more severe than gingival recession in both extent and prevalence in subjects older than 30 years of age. Thus, papillary recession may be expected to be a more common esthetic dental problem.