DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2015.v02i06.009

Pages: 383-387

Abstract: The objective of this prospective study was to investigate outcomes of a lip repositioning technique for the treatment of excessive gingival display by limiting the retraction of the elevator smile muscles. One of the most important goals of clinicians is to meet the esthetic expectations of the patients. Excessive gingival display during smiling is defined as gummy smile; and lip repositioning procedure may be an alternative in the treatment of some gummy smile cases. This article reports ahealthy32-year old female with complaint of excessive gingival display upon smiling. The lip repositioning technique was performed under local anesthesia with the main objective of reducing gummy smile. The technique is fulfilled by removing a strip of mucosa from the maxillary buccal vestibule, creating a partial-thickness flap between mucogingival junction and upper lip musculature junction. This case report demonstrates the successful management of a lip-repositioning procedure in a patient with incompetent short upper lip. This was accomplished by resulting in a narrow vestibule, thereby reducing gingival display and suturing the lip mucosa to the mucogingival line. This clinical report describes the successful use of lip repositioning technique. At the 1-year follow-up, it was observed that the results were maintained and patient was satisfied with her clinical appearance. Lip repositioning procedure performed in the accurate indication may be an alternative in the treatment of gummy smile.