25^th American Dental Research & Future Dentistry

A gummy smile is an excessive display of the gingiva or imbalance in the gingival-tooth ratio. It has different etiological factors such as vertical maxillary excess, short upper lip and altered passive eruption which cause a major aesthetic concern for many patients that may be reflected in their social or behavioral daily life, thus several techniques have been developed for its treatment. Treatment varies according to the etiological factors,

perception, and expectations of the patients like orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and periodontal surgery (including gingivectomy,

apically repositioned flap and lip repositioning technique). Lip repositioning surgery, chosen mainly in the treatment of hypermobile upper lip and excess

gingival display, consists of the removal of a stripe of mucosa from the maxillary vestibule and suturing the lip mucosa with the mucogingival junction. It is well tolerated by patients and results are irreversible with a very high rate of satisfaction. This report will present the results of clinical cases and the demonstration of the procedure step by step. Indications, objectives, limitations and patient’s outcome will be explained.