Ortho-Surgical Management of An Adult Patient with Gummy Smile

Abstract

Aim: This case report represents the clinical management of a Skeletal Class II adult patient with gummy smile treated by Orthognathic surgery.  Background: Vertical maxillary excess (VME) is the most common skeletal deformity in Skeletal Class II which is treated by Anterior Maxillary Osteotomy (AMO) and Gummy Smile is the characteristic feature of VME in which the anterior part of maxilla is superiorly repositioned.  Case Description: A 19-year-old patient reported our clinic with the complaint of forwardly placed upper front teeth. On extra oral examination, she had convex profile with posterior divergence and interlabial gap of 10mm and everted upper lip. The patient had a gummy smile of 8mm. Intra orally, she had Class II canine relationship on both sides with missing irt 16, 36, 46. Cephalometric values showed Class II skeletal base with protrusive upper and lower incisors and acute nasolabial angle. Initially orthodontic treatment was done and extraction of upper first premolars was planned during surgery. AMO was done with superior impaction of 4mm and posteriorly by 6mm. After 4 weeks of post surgery, the settling of occlusion using intermaxillary elastics was done. At the end of the treatment, the patient had Class I canine relationship on both sides with Skeletal Class I and overjet and overbite was 2mm. The patient gummy smile was reduced to 4mm which was accepted by the patient. Fixed retention was given in both the arches. The total treatment time was around 30 months.  Conclusion: The proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning is the main key to achieve stable results in Orthodontics. An interdisciplinary approach with the orthodontist and surgeon will lead to achieve stable, functional and esthetic results.