Tratamento integrado para correção do sorriso gengival: relato de caso / Integrated treatment for correction of gingival smile: case report

O sorriso gengival possui inúmeras causas, podendo acontecer por motivos esqueléticos, musculares ou por alteração no desenvolvimento dos tecidos de suporte. No entanto, na atualidade, a estética vermelha e a branca têm se apresentado completamente passíveis de transformações e com uma gama de procedimentos cirúrgicos ou não cirúrgicos para sanar as queixas dos pacientes. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é mostrar o poder que a odontologia tem frente às questões estéticas, como, por exemplo, a vergonha de sorrir por não se sentir confortável com os dentes curtos e com uma grande faixa de gengiva sendo exposta. O método utilizado foi um relato de caso. Que descreve todos os passos clínicos do tratamento de um paciente de 40 anos, que estava insatisfeita com o seu sorriso por apresentar erupção passiva alterada juntamente com hiperatividade do lábio superior. O plano de tratamento escolhido foi de realizar a cirurgia de aumento de coroa clínica estético, seguido de clareamento dentário e posteriormente um reposicionamento labial, com ajuda da toxina botulínica. Finalizando, para ajudar na cicatrização, o uso de laserterapia. O resultado de todo o processo cirúrgico envolvido neste trabalho, é satisfação do paciente, materializando o sonho deste, devolvendo segurança e espontaneidade ao sorrir. Pôde-se observar que através da combinação de técnicas cirúrgicas periodontais para tratar o sorriso gengival, obtém-se êxito tanto no sentido científico quanto no biológico, alcançando um sorriso esteticamente mais atrativo(AU)

Gummy smile has numerous causes, which can occur for skeletal or muscular reasons or due to changes in the development of supporting tissues. However, nowadays, the red and white aesthetics have been completely capable of transformation and with a range of surgical or non-surgical procedures to resolve patients' complaints. The general objective of this work is to show the power that dentistry has in the face of aesthetic issues, such as, for example, the shame of smiling due to not feeling comfortable with short teeth and a large strip of gum being exposed. The method used was a case report. Which describes all the clinical steps of the treatment of a 40-year-old patient, who was dissatisfied with her smile due to an altered passive eruption together with hyperactivity of the upper lip. The chosen treatment plan was to perform aesthetic clinical crown augmentation surgery, followed by tooth whitening and later lip repositioning, with the help of botulinum toxin. Finally, to help with healing, the use of laser therapy. The result of the entire surgical process involved in this work is patient satisfaction, materializing the patient's dream, restoring security and spontaneity when smiling. It was observed that through the combination of periodontal surgical techniques to treat gummy smile, success is achieved both in the scientific and biological sense, achieving a more aesthetically attractive smile(AU)

Clinical and psychological impact of lip repositioning surgery in the management of excessive gingival display.

Background: Excessive gingival display (EGD), also known as a gummy smile, is characterized by overexposure of the maxillary gingiva on smiling. EGD can cause embarrassment and reduce patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and psychological effects of lip repositioning surgery on the management of EGD. Methodology: This experimental study enrolled 14 patients with EGD who had undergone a modified lip repositioning technique, which comprised moving two strips of mucosa bilaterally to the maxillary labial frenum and repositioning the new mucosal margin coronally. The extent of gingival display (GD), lip mobility (LM), total lip length (TLL), lip length (LL), and internal lip length (ILL) was measured at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. The pre-operative psychological assessment was conducted using the social appearance anxiety scale (SAAS) scores, whereas the postoperative assessment was conducted using SAAS and visual analog scale (VAS) scores at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Results: Among the clinical parameters, TLL increased by 2.0 ± 1.038, LL increased by 2.28 ± 0.99, ILL reduced by 2.78 ± 1.36, LM reduced by 3.21 ± 1.12, and GD reduced by 3.14 ± 0.77 at 6 months postoperatively. Among the psychological parameters, SAAS reduced by 31.42 ± 1.907 from the baseline to 6 months, whereas the VAS score reduced to 3.14 ± 0.27 at 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: A significant reduction in GD, which is largely dependent on strict case selection, pain, and social anxiety was observed in this study, indicating that lip repositioning surgery is effective in managing EGD.

Reposicionamiento Labial. Caso Clínico

El reposicionamiento labial es un procedimiento quirúrgico mínimamente invasivo que se utiliza para tratar una sonrisa gingival, la cual, es una afección en la que una cantidad significativa de la encía queda expuesta cuando una persona sonríe y puede deberse a una variedad de factores, como un exceso de tejido gingival, un labio superior corto o músculos hiperactivos del labio superior, entre otros. El alargamiento clínico de la corona, por otro lado, consiste en eliminar el exceso de tejido gingival y, si es necesario, el tejido óseo para exponer una mayor parte de la corona natural del diente. Se reporta un caso clínico de paciente femenino de 31 años que presentó una sonrisa gingival provocada por hipermovilidad de labio superior y un exceso de tejido gingival localizado. El plan de tratamiento involucró una combinación de reposicionamiento labial y alargamiento de corona. Los resultados estéticos fueron significativos, con la sonrisa del paciente más equilibrada y proporcionada. Se redujo la cantidad de tejido gingival expuesto cuando la paciente sonreía y la longitud de los dientes fue más visible, lo que dio como resultado una sonrisa de aspecto más natural, además de aumentar su aceptación al sonreír.

SUMMARY: Lip repositioning is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat a gummy smile, which is a condition in which a significant amount of the gum is exposed when a person smiles and may be due to a variety of factors, such as excess gum tissue, a short upper lip or overactive muscles of the upper lip, among others. Clinical crown lengthening, on the other hand, involves removing excess gingival tissue and, if necessary, bone tissue to expose more of the natural crown of the tooth. Clinical case: A clinical case of a 31-year-old female patient who presented a gummy smile caused by hypermobility of the upper lip and an excess of localized gingival tissue is reported. The treatment plan involved a combination of lip repositioning and crown lengthening. The aesthetic results were significant, with the patient's smile more balanced and displayed. The amount of the patient's exposed gum tissue when smiled was reduced and the length of the teeth was more visible, resulting in a more natural-looking smile, as well as increasing their acceptance of smiling.

Effectiveness of lip repositioning in the treatment of excessive gingival display: systematic review and meta-analysis / Eficacia del reposicionamiento de labios en el tratamiento de la exposición gingival excesiva: revisión sistemática y metanálisis

Background: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to answer the questions ''Does lip repositioning surgery reduce the amount of gingiva exposed in the smile in individuals with excessive gingival display EGD (excessive gingival display)?'' and ''Is the reduction of the amount of gingiva exposed when smiling obtained with lip repositioning surgery stable over time?'' to evaluate the effectiveness of lip repositioning surgery for correcting EGD on smiling. Materials and Methods: A systematic structured search was carried out in five databases without data restriction. Studies reporting the degree of reduction in gingival ex-posure after lip repositioning surgery were included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed in duplicate Results: One hundred sixty-four references were retrieved and eleven studies met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated that lip repositioning surgery results in a significant reduction in the amount of exposed gingival tissue (mean difference = -3.03; confidence interval = -3.55; -2.52). In addition, the results remained stable in the evaluated follow-up periods (1, 3, 6 and 12 months). Included studies had a low risk of bias. Conclusions: Lip repositioning surgery is effective for the treatment of EGD on smiling and exhibits stable results in the evaluated periods. The study was registered (CRD42020184866) in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO)

Antecedentes: el objetivo de esta revisión sistemática y metanálisis fue responder a las preguntas "¿La cirugía de reposicionamiento de labios reduce la cantidad de encía expuesta en la sonrisa en personas con exposición gingival excesiva (EGE)?" y "¿La reducción de la cantidad de encía expuesto al sonreír obtenido con cirugía de reposicionamiento de labios estable en el tiempo?" para evaluar la efectividad de la cirugía de reposicionamiento de labios para corregir la EGE al sonreír. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática estructurada en cinco bases de datos sin restricción de datos. Se incluyeron los estudios que informaron el grado de reducción de la exposición gingival después de la cirugía de reposición de labios. La selección de estudios, la extracción de datos y la evaluación del riesgo de sesgo se realizaron por duplicado. Resultados: Se recuperaron ciento sesenta y cuatro referencias y once estudios cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad. El metanálisis demostró que la cirugía de reposicionamiento de labios da como resultado una reducción significativa en la cantidad de tejido gingival expuesto (diferencia de medias = -3,03; intervalo de confianza = -3,55; -2,52). Además, los resultados se mantuvieron estables en los periodos de seguimiento evaluados (1, 3, 6 y 12 meses). Los estudios incluidos tenían un bajo riesgo de sesgo. Conclusión: La cirugía de reposicionamiento de labios es efectiva para el tratamiento de la EGE al sonreír y presenta resultados estables en los períodos evaluados. El estudio fue registrado (CRD42020184866) en el registro prospectivo internacional de revisiones sistemáticas (PROSPERO).

A Modified Approach in Lip Repositioning Surgery for Excessive Gingival Display to Minimize Post-Surgical Relapse: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Lip repositioning surgeries are performed to treat patients with excessive GD (EGD). This study aimed to explore and compare the long-term clinical results and stability following the modified lip repositioning surgical technique (MLRS) with the addition of periosteal sutures compared to the conventional lip repositioning surgery (LipStaT®) in order to address EGD. A controlled clinical trial with female participants (n = 200) intended to improve their gummy smile were divided into control (n = 100) and test (n = 100) groups. The gingival display (GD), maxillary lip length at rest (MLLR), and maxillary lip length at maximum smile (MLLS) were measured at four time intervals (Baseline; 1 Month; 6 Months, and 1 Year) in millimeters (mm). Data were analyzed by t-tests, Bonferroni-test, and regression analysis using SPSS software. At the one-year follow-up, GD for the control and test groups were 3.77 + 1.76 mm and 2.48 + 0.86 mm, respectively, and their comparisons showed that GD was considerably lower (p = 0.000) in the test group compared to the control group. The MLLS measurements taken at baseline, one-month, six-month, and one-year follow-up showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the control and test groups. At baseline, one-month, and six-month follow-up, the mean and standard deviation for the MLLR were almost similar, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.675). The MLRS is a successful and viable treatment option for the treatment of patients with EGD. The current study showed stable results and no recurrence with MLRS until the one-year follow-up compared to LipStaT®. With the MLRS, a 2 to 3 mm decline in EGD is usually to be expected.

A Comparison of Self-Perceived Oral and Facial Esthetics in Patients After Lip Repositioning Surgery With Modified and Conventional Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Patients with excessive gingival display (EGD) are treated with lip repositioning surgeries (LRS). This study used a questionnaire to analyze and evaluate how patients who received LRS with modified and traditional techniques perceived their own oral and facial esthetics at various timelines after their surgeries. METHODS: An orofacial esthetic questionnaire (OEQ) was used in this cross-sectional study. The participants were patients who underwent LRS for the treatment of their EGD. They were divided into control (n=100) and test (n=100) groups. For the control group, LRS were performed using traditional/conventional techniques, and for the test group, LRS were performed using a modified approach. An OEQ was used to record responses. The scale comprised eight questions targeted to capture participating patients' perceptions about their own oral and facial esthetics at four timelines (baseline and one-month, six-month, and one-year follow-up). Patients responded to each question on a 10-point Likert scale (0: very dissatisfied, 10: very satisfied). Data was analyzed by independent samples T-tests using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 software (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Seven (3.5%) out of the total (N=200) patients were unable to take part in the study's OEQ. At one-year follow-up, the mean and standard deviation (SD) for the test group's gingival display (GD) were 2.48±0.86 mm and 3.77±1.76 mm, respectively, and comparisons revealed that the test group's GD was significantly lower (p=0.000) than the control group. Results from the participant responses to OEQ using the Likert scale at one-year follow-up revealed significant differences between the control and test groups for all questions, except question 5 (p=0.06), as the shape of the teeth will not be affected by LRS. Patients in the test group who underwent LRS with a modified approach have a high level of satisfaction (satisfaction score: >9). Patients in the control group scored their satisfaction less favorably, with certain questions (question 3) receiving scores as low as 0.31. Perception of oral and facial esthetics was significantly higher for the test group at different time points. At one-year follow-up, the mean difference was 4.46, which was the greatest (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: EGD improved significantly at one year with the modified lip repositioning technique. The satisfaction level of patients with outcomes of the modified lip repositioning was significantly higher as compared to the satisfaction level of patients who underwent the conventional technique.

Clinical advantages of improving the excessive gingival display (EGD) by surgical repositioning of the upper lip.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to minimize gingival display by surgical repositioning of the upper lip and to suggest this technique as an alternative treatment modality to orthognatic surgery for treatment of excessive gingival display. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients were selected with gingival display of more than 2 mm during maximal smiling. All patients underwent surgical repositioning of the upper lip, aimed at limiting elevator muscle activity to treat excessive gum exposure. Patients were regathered in 1 week for the follow-up postoperative symptoms according to VAS scale to evaluate pain and swelling. Reference values were given to patients. RESULTS: The study has indicated good results and stability especially to patients with skeletal class I classification along with medium and thick biotype of attached gingiva without hypermobile upper lip. CONCLUSION: Surgical repositioning of the upper lip is an effective way to improve a patient's gingival smile caused by degree I and II VME in combination with HUL as an alternative treatment modality to orthognathic surgery. This method is less invasive and cost-effective, causes minimal postoperative complications, and provides faster recovery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Excessive gingival display (EGD) with various etiologies requires several proper treatment modalities. The proposed modified method of lip repositioning to reduce the degree of gingival display is less aggressive, reliable, and causes fewer postoperative complications compared to orthognathic surgery.

Clinical efficacy of lip repositioning technique and its modifications for the treatment of gummy smile: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature regarding the clinical efficacy of reducing excessive gingival display (EGD) using the surgical lip repositioning technique (LRT) and its modifications. The question to address was: "What is the clinical efficacy of the surgical LRT and its modifications in patients with EGD?" MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four databases (MEDLINE-PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) were searched up to December 2021 (PROSPERO-CRD42020205987). Randomized, non-randomized controlled and prospective case series with a minimum of 6-month follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Two meta-analyses were performed using the mean difference (MD) between baseline and different follow-up periods (6 and 12 months). Subgroup analyses were performed using the different modifications of LRT. RESULTS: The electronic research retrieved 783 studies. Only 13 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. Six modifications of the original LRT were identified. An overall EGD reduction of -3.06 mm (95%CI: -3.71-2.40), -2.91 mm; (95%CI: -3.66-2.15) and -2.76 mm; (95%CI: -3.83--1.70) was achieved after 6, 12, and 36 months, respectively, compared to baseline (P < 0.01). Meta-analysis revealed that the use of LRT with periosteal suturing showed the greatest decrease in EGD with 5.22 mm (95% CI: 4.23-6.21; P < 0.01) at 6 months and 4.94 mm (95% CI: 3.86-6.02; P < 0.01) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Both the original LRT and its different modifications reduce EGD and provide good results and overall patient satisfaction at 6, 12, and 36 months of follow-up. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Evaluating the different modifications of the LRT can be a guiding aspect for the clinical and surgical approach to be used in patients with EGD.

Treating short upper lip with "Unified lip repositioning" technique: Two case reports.

Excessive gingival display can be an esthetic concern for the patient. Conventional lip repositioning provides a conservative surgical option with less patient morbidity. The unified technique is a modification of conventional lip repositioning technique using the orthodontic brackets as anchorage to provide better soft-tissue closure with the lesser chances of relapse. This technique has been modified to be less invasive with better results. In this case report, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with short upper lip were recommended for the surgical lip repositioning to reduce excess gingival display. Cases were treated with conventional lip repositioning technique and with unified lip repositioning technique, and after evaluation, comparison was done postoperatively. The unified lip repositioning technique showed better results with a significant decrease of gingival appearance and more patient compliance. Thus, in patients with short upper lip, unified lip repositioning technique can be a viable conservative treatment option.

Modified laser-assisted lip repositioning surgery to treat gummy smile.

Excessive gingival display (EGD), known as "gummy smile," is a major esthetic hurdle in today's population. The condition occurs due to various etiologies such as skeletal, dentoalveolar, or soft-tissue origin. The treatment modalities range from orthognathic surgery to periodontal plastic procedures. Lip-repositioning surgery (LRS) is a better alternative for the conventional orthognathic surgery and laser-assisted LRS can be a reliable and a less invasive alternative to conventional (scalpel) LRS. The present case describes the successful treatment of a young female exhibiting an EGD caused by hypermobility of the upper lip and was treated with a modified laser-assisted LRS coupled with gingival recontouring. In a study published earlier, a mild recurrence was observed and hence, to overcome the recurrence, a modified technique, by excising a strip of mucosa with an additional 2 mm of tissue along with the muscular attachment rather than scraping, was attempted.

[Comparative efficacy of Botox and surgical lip repositioning in the correction of gummy smile]. / Sravnitel'naya effektivnost' vvedeniya botoksa i khirurgicheskoi operatsii dlya korrektsii polozheniya gub pri desnevoi ulybke.

BACKGROUND: A smile plays an important role in determining a person's initial impression. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of both injection botulinum toxin type A (botox) and surgical lip repositioning in the correction of the gummy smile due to hyperactive upper lip according to the resulting smile and the patients' satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 24 patients: 12 received the BTX-A (botulinum toxin type-A) injection and the remaining 12 underwent the surgical procedure (lip repositioning). The patients rated their satisfaction according to their gingival display that was defined as the difference between the lower margin of the upper lip and the superior margin of the right incisor, and patients were followed at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months. Post injection and post-surgery with changes documented by photographs. Both groups answered a questionnaire addressing the overall appearance and they were asked to rate the improvement of their smile according to a 5-point aesthetic scale. RESULTS: The patients rated the effects of BTX-A as highly favorable if we take into consideration that BTX-A had a temporary effect while the surgical procedure (lip repositioning) had a relapse likelihood of more than 80% because the lip reverted back to its original position with almost complete relapse after 6 months and not to mention the risks affiliated with the surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: BTX-A injection exhibits better results than those of surgery and had given safer and more satisfactory results and achieved the required cosmetic patient requirement than lip repositioning.

Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches to a "Gummy Smile".

Excessive gingival display or "gummy smile" is a growing concern to dental patients and often considered detrimental to an esthetic smile. Gingival display of more than 4 mm of gingiva is considered by many to be unattractive. The cause of the gummy smile can be multifactorial and must be accurately diagnosed to render appropriate treatment. Factors that contribute to the gummy smile include altered passive eruption, lip length, lip hypermobility, incisal wear/crown length, and vertical maxillary excess and gingival hyperplasia. The purpose of this article is to review the etiology, diagnosis, and surgical approaches in treating the gummy smile.

Surgical Procedures Reducing Excessive Gingival Display in Gummy Smile Patients With Various Etiologic Backgrounds.

INTRODUCTION: Gummy smile (GS) is an esthetic issue which causes a person to show a larger than average amount of gum tissue when smiling. Lip repositioning procedure is a surgical treatment option performed by removing a partial thickness strip from the maxillary buccal vestibular mucosa and suturing back the lip mucosa to the mucogingival line. High rate of relapse has been recorded with this procedure. In this study, different treatment options were applied according to the etiology and clinical background of each individual case in an attempt to overcome relapse. Furthermore, modification of the conventional lip repositioning procedure and the clinical outcome of this technique will be demonstrated in this report. CASE SERIES: Among the four selected patients who requested correction of their GS, the amounts of gingival display (GD) measured using digital Vernier were from 5 to 7 mm. Clinical examination revealed variation in the length of the clinical crowns, and vestibular depth and width of keratinized gingiva. Since the causes of their GS were different, different surgical modalities were applied to address GS in this case series. The procedures were gingivectomy, osteoplasty, and modification of lip repositioning procedure performed by removing a partial thickness ribbon of the keratinized attached gingiva and then suturing the labial alveolar mucosa to the attached gingiva at a level more coronal to its previous position. CONCLUSION: One-year follow-up showed that all these surgical procedures reduced excessive GD by 2 mm without relapse and the patients were satisfied with the esthetic outcome.

Mucosal coronally positioned flap technique for management of excessive gingival display.

Improvement of smile esthetics is a major goal of modern dentistry. Various treatment modalities have been proposed to correct excessive gingival display, depending on intraoral or extraoral etiologies. This report aimed to document the use of mucosal coronally positioned flap called surgical lip repositioning technique for the management of a gummy smile associated with vertical maxillary excess. The procedure restricts the muscle pull of the elevator lip muscles by shortening the vestibule, thus reducing the gingival display when smiling. Rapid surgical healing with minimal postoperative sequelae was observed. The follow up examinations showed esthetic satisfaction up to 6 months postoperatively, at the end of one year a partial relapse was observed. Although the short-term stable results of lip repositioning surgery appear satisfying postoperatively, its utility as a long-term treatment option remains questionable. More studies with larger sample size and long-term follow-up are necessary to establish the level of scientific evidence of this procedure.

Laser-Assisted Lip Repositioning With Smile Elevator Muscle Containment and Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smile: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Treating the patients with excessive gingival display to provide a pleasant smile is a challenge to the periodontist. Gummy smile can be due to excessive vertical bone growth, dentoalveolar extrusion, short upper lip, upper lip hyperactivity, or altered passive eruption. Gummy smile associated with hyperactivity of smile elevator muscles can be treated by surgical techniques like lip repositioning, botulinum toxin injection, lip elongation with rhinoplasty, detachment of the lip muscles, and myectomy. Regardless of the technique used, to achieve a predictable result with long-term stability limiting upper lip movement when the patient smiles, firm muscle containment is imperative. CASE PRESENTATION: The case report describes the excessive gingival display having a multifactorial etiology in a 25-year-old female patient. Altered passive eruption in upper anterior teeth was treated by crown lengthening followed by management of hyperactive lip using a diode laser-assisted lip repositioning along with traction and muscle containment. Excellent and predictable results were obtained after a 1-year follow-up without the relapse of gummy smile. CONCLUSIONS: The case report showed an excellent result when treated by a combined approach of an innovative procedure with laser-assisted lip repositioning aimed at maintaining the traction and containment of the smile elevator muscles along with crown lengthening procedure by gingivectomy.

Lip repositioning: An alternative to invasive surgery a 4 year follow up case report.

Excessive Gingival Display (EGD) is a multifactorial condition that needs to be managed in a sequential manner in order to reach the proper treatment technique that targets and resolves the underlying etiologies. An innovative procedure called lip repositioning has been introduced and used recently either alone or in combination with other techniques. It can be used in certain cases as an easier, less complicated alternative to major surgical methods providing a pleasant satisfactory camouflage effect with lower morbidity. A case report is presented to show the preparatory and surgical steps used to treat a 25-year-old patient with EGD using lip repositioning technique as an alternative to invasive surgery with satisfactory results that has been stable for 4 years.

Esthetic lip repositioning: A cosmetic approach for correction of gummy smile - A case series.

Gummy smile has been a prevalent esthetic disorder commonly affecting younger individuals due to various causes such as skeletal, dento-alveolar, or soft-tissue origin. It can be due to jaw deformities, altered passive eruption, or tooth malpositioning. Usually, the corrective measures incorporate orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment. Orthognathic surgery results in significant morbidity and hospitalization. Lip repositioning can be employed as an alternative cosmetic treatment modality for the correction of an excessive gingival display with minimal risk or side effects. Although there are many articles existing in the literature on this topic, a series of three cases is unique in demonstrating the esthetic smile enhancement in an orthodontic patient and also a combination of lip-repositioning technique and laser-assisted crown lengthening in vertical maxillary excess cases. This case series also showed the predictability of lip-repositioning technique with a follow-up of 2 years.

Lip Repositioning, Aesthetic Crown Lengthening, and Gingival Depigmentation: A Combined Approach for a Gummy Smile Makeover.

This clinical report describes the successful use of aesthetic crown lengthening, lip-repositioning technique as well as gingival depigmentation for the reduction of excessive gingival display and dark gums, respectively. Lip-repositioning technique was performed with the main objective of reducing gummy smile by limiting the retraction of elevator muscles (e.g., zygomaticus minor, levator anguli oris, orbicularis oris, and levator labii superioris) during smiling, thereby restricting the upper lip from shifting apically while smiling. This technique includes removing a strip of mucosa from the maxillary labial and buccal vestibule, creating a partial-thickness flap between mucogingival junction and upper lip musculature, and suturing the lip mucosa with mucogingival junction, resulting in a narrow vestibule and restricted muscle pull, thereby reducing gingival display. The results obtained with lip repositioning for the treatment of gummy smile are substantial and it is a simple and effective procedure, well accepted by patients. Proper case selection is important for using this procedure.

A comparison between modified and conventional surgical techniques for surgical lip repositioning in the management of the gummy smile.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare conventional and modified lip repositioning surgical techniques used for management of gummy smile involving hyperactive lip elevator muscles. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective study was conducted between April 2016 and May 2017. Twenty two adult patients aged 18-38 years with gummy smile ranging from 4 to 6 mm because of soft tissue disorders were included in the study. All patients were treated in the oral and maxillofacial department at Damascus University. The sample was divided into two groups of 11 patients. The first group was treated by the conventional standard technique, and the second group treated by a modified study technique. The amount of gingival display in full smile was evaluated in both groups following each intervention. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the measurement of gummy smile at month 1 and 6 postoperatively (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in gingival display at 3 months in either group postoperatively (P > .05). The recent study showed a significant difference in gingival display between 3 and 6 months postoperatively in group 1, but no significant difference in group 2. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the modified technique utilized in treating gummy smile has less relapse after surgery, shows excellent cosmesis and compared to the conventional technique, greater sustainability. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The recent increase in demand for an esthetic smile has led to the development a modification of conventional lip repositioning for correcting gummy smile by myotomy of lip elevator muscles. This modified technique offers less relapse and greater stability post-operatively than the conventional technique.

Lip repositioning with a myotomy of the elevator muscles for the management of a gummy smile.

BACKGROUND: Excessive gingival display ≥4 mm is commonly referred to as a "gummy smile", which is caused by several different etiologies and can be corrected using various techniques. Therefore, the etiology of a gummy smile dictates the most appropriate treatment approach. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical lip repositioning technique (a full-thickness flap with a myotomy of the elevator muscles) in the management of a gummy smile in the range of 4-6 mm, caused by soft tissue disorders (short upper lip, hyperactive lip elevator muscles). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between April 2016 and May 2017. Fourteen adult patients, aged 18-38 years, with a gummy smile of 4-6 mm, caused by soft tissue disorders were included in the study. All patients were treated by the surgical lip repositioning technique (a full-thickness flap with a myotomy of the elevator muscles) in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Damascus University, Syria. The amount of gingival display in a full smile and complications after surgery were evaluated in the current study. RESULTS: The results were as follows: the mean amount of gingival display in a full smile was 6.36 mm preoperatively, after 1 month postoperatively - 0.91 mm, after 3 months - 2.27 mm, after 6 months - 2.45 mm. The post-surgery complications were as follows: the infection did not appear in any patient, flap dehiscence appeared in 2 patients (14.2%), numbness appeared in 9 patients (64.2%). Pain recurrences varied between mild pain in 5 patients (35.7%) and moderate pain in 3 patients (21.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed surgical lip repositioning technique showed effectiveness in reducing the amount of gingival display in a full smile through postoperative follow-up periods. All the postoperative complications are temporary and fade within a short period after the surgical procedure, making lip repositioning a safe surgical technique.