Objectives: The objective of this study is to minimize gingival display by surgical repositioning of the upper lip and to suggest this technique as an alternative treatment modality to orthognathic surgery for treatment of excessive gingival display.

 

Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients were selected with gingival display of more than 2 mm during maximal smiling. All patients underwent surgical repositioning of the upper lip, aimed at limiting elevator muscle activity to treat excessive gum exposure. Patients were regathered in 1 week for the follow-up postoperative symptoms according to VAS scale to evaluate pain and swelling. Reference values were given to patients.

 

Results: The study has indicated good results and stability especially to patients with skeletal class I classification along with medium and thick biotype of attached gingiva without hypermobile upper lip.

 

Conclusion: Surgical repositioning of the upper lip is an effective way to improve a patient’s gingival smile caused by degree I and II VME in combination with HUL as an alternative treatment modality to orthognathic surgery. This method is less invasive and cost-effective, causes minimal postoperative complications, and provides faster recovery.

 

Clinical relevance: Excessive gingival display (EGD) with various etiologies requires several proper treatment modalities. The proposed modified method of lip repositioning to reduce the degree of gingival display is less aggressive, reliable, and causes fewer postoperative complications compared to orthognathic surgery.

 

Astghik Boyadjian, Dentist, Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon. She has graduated from the University of Kalamoon Damascus/Syria as DDS. Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors degree in 2009 and then became a resident in master’s of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Aleppo /Syria to 2012. In 2012 became a member of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. She has graduated from the Yerevan State Medical University as MD. Master’s degree of oral and maxillofacial surgery with an excellent degree in 2013. She is currently working as a dentist, oral & maxillofacial surgeon at Boyadjian Dental Clinic and lecturer at Yerevan State Medical University. She is a member of Armenian Dental Association. She has several publications. She has been Awarded & “GOLD LAUREL”; prize dedicated by the “National Trust Council” as a “reliable dental clinic using the latest method.