New approach to the gummy smile

Abstract

The authors present a multidisciplinary approach to the gingival smile in which its three components are evaluated. These components are the dynamic component of the lip (repose versus smiling) and the two static elements of the gum and maxilla. Once an appropriate diagnosis has been made, the authors act on the gingiva for delayed passive eruption, on the maxilla for long face syndrome, and on the lip with lip-elongation techniques. When delayed passive eruption is associated with hyperfunction of the lip elevators, an intraoral approach with an incision at the level of the upper labial frenulum and dissection from the anterior nasal spine to the anterior maxillary fossae, in addition to gingival remodeling, is recommended to reduce gingival exposure.