Krishna Kumar Gupta
1*, Amitabh Srivastava
2, Chetan Chandra
3, Vivek Tripathi
41 Professor, Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
2 Reader, Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
3 Senior lecturer, Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
4 Post graduate student-IIYr, Sardar Patel Post Graduate Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
Abstract
This clinical report describes the successful use of lip repositioning technique for the reduction of excessive gingival display. A
34-year-old female patient reported with a chief complaint of gummy smile. The lip repositioning technique was performed
under local anesthesia with the main objective of reducing gummy smile by limiting the retraction of elevator muscles (e.g.
zygomaticus minor, levator anguli, orbicularis oris and levator labii superioris). 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, and suturing the lip mucosa with mucogingival junction, resulting in a narrow vestibule and restricted muscle
pull, thereby reducing gingival display. A scalpel surgery was planned for depigmentation. The entire procedure was explained
to the patient and written consent was obtained. A Bard Parker handle with a No.15 blade was used to remove the pigmented
layer. When a crown lengthening procedure is planned to increase the length of the available tooth, the biological width needs
to be considered and not encroached upon, as this may lead to periodontal breakdown.