Treating short upper lip with "Unified lip repositioning" technique: Two case reports

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Excessive gingival display, often termed a 'gummy smile,' presents a significant esthetic concern for patients.
• Conventional lip repositioning surgery offers a conservative approach to address this issue with reduced patient morbidity.
• Orthodontic treatment can sometimes be combined with surgical interventions for comprehensive smileMakeovers.

Observation:

• This case report evaluates a modified lip repositioning technique, termed the 'unified technique,' in patients with short upper lips experiencing excessive gingival display.
• The unified technique utilizes orthodontic brackets for anchorage, aiming for improved soft-tissue closure and reduced relapse potential.
• Patients were treated with either the conventional or the unified lip repositioning technique, with postoperative comparisons made.

Findings:

• The unified lip repositioning technique demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the conventional method.
• Significant reductions in gingival display were observed postoperatively with the unified technique.
• Higher patient compliance was noted with the unified lip repositioning technique.

Implications:

• The unified lip repositioning technique presents a viable and conservative surgical option for managing excessive gingival display in patients with short upper lips.
• This modified technique offers improved esthetic results and patient satisfaction.
• Further research may explore long-term stability and broader applications of the unified technique in various patient populations.