Modified Lip Repositioning Surgery in the Treatment of Gummy Smile

Abstract

The smile is a characteristic that expresses emotions and affects interpersonal relationships, significantly impacting self-esteem and influencing personal and professional life. The growing emphasis on aesthetics has made patients increasingly well-informed and demanding regarding available procedures. Excessive gingival display (EGD) can result from various factors, such as altered passive eruption, vertical maxillary excess, and short or hyperactive upper lip, among others. In this case report, where EGD was caused by upper lip hypermobility, the proposed treatment involved the modified lip repositioning surgical technique (MLRS) using sutures in the modified horizontal mattress technique, aiming to limit muscle and tissue movement and to approximate the mucosal edges. The outcome was an improved aesthetic harmony of the smile, with a more suitable position of the upper lip during spontaneous smiling, as observed in a six-month follow-up.

Keywords

• gummy smile
• gingival exposure
• gingival aesthetics
• lip repositioning surgery
• LipStat