A smile is the most common facial expression to display satisfaction, joy or happiness. Some physiological and/or pathological conditions result in a displeasing excessive exposition of the gums.
This alteration bears a negative repercussion on the individual's appearance since it alters the spontaneity of facial expression.
In our times, patients seek aesthetic dental treatments, to this end, new surgical and prosthetic techniques have been developed with the purpose of achieving desired results.
Aesthetic dentistry is not only limited to restoration of damaged or absent teeth, it is also geared to prevention and reconstruction of adjacent soft tissue architecture.
In order to achieve aesthetic results, many cases require inter-disciplinary treatment combining several procedures.
In those cases where aesthetics are involved, surgical alterations of the dental-gingival system can be carried out so as to create an appropriate situation, especially in gummy smile cases.
Determination of gummy smiles causes is of paramount importance. A mistake at this stage could elicit unsatisfactory results as well as complications such as root exposition.
► PDF: Periodontal plastic surgery for treatment of gummy smile with cosmetic restauration treatment
Clinical case
56 year old female patient attended the Implantology and Periodontics Department complaining of not liking the appearance of her teeth and smile.
Clinical exploration disclosed thick biotype, irregular gingival margins, short and uneven clinical crowns, missing teeth as well as decreased vertical dimension.
X ray assessment revealed bony margin at the level of enamel and cement junction.
Emitted diagnosis was: Altered Passive Eruption. Based on diagnostic waxup and after consultation with the Oral Prosthesis Department, treatment selected was crown elongation with bone surgery in upper and lower front teeth, implant placement in areas of teeth 36 and 46 as well as rehabilitation following the Captek system.
