Smile Designing by Eliminating a Gummy  Smile with Surgical Lip Repositioning: A  Case Report

Ishan Dhruva; Amita Mali; Pramod Waghmare; Amit Chaudhari; Yogesh Khadtare

Volume : II, Issue : V, May - 2013

Smile Designing by Eliminating a Gummy Smile with Surgical Lip Repositioning: A Case Report

Ishan Dhruva, Amita Mali, Pramod Waghmare, Amit Chaudhari, Yogesh Khadtare

Abstract :

Excessive gingival display,commonly referred to as a gummy smile can be source of embarrassment for some patients. Delayed eruption and tooth malpositioning can be predictably treated with resective surgery and orthodontics. In patients with jaw deformities ,orthognathic surgery can be performed, but this requires hospitalization and entails significant discomfort. The case presented here describes a surgical technique for lip repositioning to reduce gingival display. The procedure restricts the muscle pull of the elevator lip muscles by shortening the vestibule,thus reducing the gingival display while smiling. In our experience this procedure is safe,predictable with minimal risk or side effects and is an alternative treatment modality in esthetic treatment.