Comparison Between Lip Repositioning and Muscle Traction Technique in Treatment of Gummy Smile

Local anesthesia was administered in the vestibular mucosa. A partial-thickness incision was made at the mucogingival junction from the mesial line angle of the right first molar to the mesial line angle of the left first molar. A second partial- thickness incision, parallel to the first, was made in the labial mucosa, 10 to 12 mm apical to the mucogingival junction. The incisions were connected at each first molar, creating an elliptical outline. The epithelium was removed within the outline of the incisions, leaving the underlying connective tissue exposed. Care was taken to avoid damage to any minor salivary glands in the submucosa. The parallel incision lines were approximated with interrupted stabilization sutures at the midline and other locations along the borders of the incision to ensure proper alignment of the lip midline with the midline of the teeth. Then, a continuous interlocking suture was used to approximate both flap ends.

Local anesthesia was administered in the vestibular mucosa and lip then a vertical incision was made on the labial frenum, and two more horizontal incisions were made on the mucogingival line, starting from the frenum incision up to the height of the canines. The flap was carefully divulsed with Goldman Fox scissors and also a curved hemostat, separating the external epithelium from the muscle bundle mucosa on both sides at the height of the lateral incisors and canines. With an absorbable suture thread, the elevator muscle of the upper lip and wing of the nose was pulled downwards, repositioning its bundle nearer the highest portion of the keratinized gingiva. Simple sutures were made, as many as necessary, in order to contain the pulled muscle in this position. The procedure ended up with a continuous suture in the labial frenum and in the horizontal incisions with the use of a 4-0 silk suture thread. The external stitches should be removed in 10-15 days time.