The Gummy Smile and its Concern among Dental Students - A Survey

Context: A smile can be displeasing when there is eexcessive gingival show. Currently, correction of a gummy smile is becoming a prime demand by the patients. An exposure of 3 mm of gingival tissue is diagnosed as a gummy smile. Many reasons contribute to a gummy smile and the availability of treatment options falls under a wide range. Aims: The aim was to assess knowledge among dental students on the gummy smile and its treatment plans. Methods and Material: The questions were given as Google forms to the participants of the study. Students pursuing bachelors in dentistry were chosen for the study. A set of 20 questions were framed in a questionnaire form with multiple choice questions and students were asked to pick out a single option from provided questions. Questions asked were on the etiology of the gummy smile, lip repositioning procedures, use of botox and gum contouring procedures. Results: The results depict a correlation between the different treatment modalities of the gummy smile but the choice of treatment is governed by various factors such as patient’s expectation, expenditure, and aesthetic sense and the skill set of the clinician. This study reveals good knowledge among the participants regarding the factors related to a gummy smile. Conclusion: In a nutshell, this study indicates that the dental undergraduates have a good knowledge about the gummy smile and its treatment options available. They have an insight about the available treatment modalities but are not equipped with adequate knowledge regarding the diagnostic criteria.