Abstract

VILLASENOR ESPIN, Cintia  and  LOPEZ BUENDIA, María del Carmen. Interdisciplinary treatment of patient with gummy smile: Case report. Rev. Odont. Mex [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.1, pp.51-56. ISSN 1870-199X.

Introduction: A comprehensive, inter-disciplinary treatment of the mouth involves the following aspects: assessment of facial characteristics and muscle activity as well as existing relationship between visible dentition and soft tissues to improve patients' aesthetics and function. There are some physiological and/or pathological conditions which result in excessive exposition of the gums. This causes a negative appearance and limits facial expression. Altered or delayed eruption is one of the main causes of gummy smile. In restorative procedures, crown elongation is considered a very valuable surgical technique. This technique has the aim of lengthening the size of the clinical crown. As part of an inter-disciplinary treatment, dental implants represent an option in cases where there are missing teeth. 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 wax-up 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. Results: Results were favorable. Dentofacial and dental-periodontal harmony were achieved, as well as function, aesthetics and the patient's satisfaction.

Keywords : Gummy smile; altered passive eruption; crown lengthening; dental implants.