Treatment of Excessive Gingival Display Using a Lip Repositioning Technique: A Case Report

Objective: One of the most important goals of dental clinicians is to meet the esthetic expectations of the patients. Excessive gingival display upon smiling is defined as “gummy smiling” and this situation may be a problem for the patients. Orthognathic surgery performed in gummy smile cases resulting from jaw deformites eliminates this problem. However, these procedures are quite invasive and requires hospitalization of the patients. For these reasons, “lip repositioning procedure”, which involves retraction of smile elevator muscles, may be an alternative in the treatment of some gummy smile cases. Materials and Methods: Gummy smile resulting from delayed tooth eruption and lip hyperactivity was diagnosed in a 22-year old female who applied to the ERU University, Dental Faculty, Periodontology Department with the complaint of excessive gingival display upon smiling. Lip repositioning procedure depending on the removal of a strip of mucosa from the maxillary buccal vestibule and suturing the lip mucosa to the mucogingival line was performed. Results: Clinical success was achieved. The patient complained about tension while talking or smiling, which lasted for one week. At the 1-year follow-up, it was observed that the results were maintained and patient was statisfied with her clinical appearance. Conclusions: Lip repositioning procedure performed in the true indication may be an alternative in the treatment of gummy smile.