Assessment of surgical lip repositioning for treatment of excessive gingival display – a one year follow up study

Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the success rate of the lip repositioning surgery by assessment of the soft tissue changes and the relapse associated with that procedure.Methods: six female patients were included in the study who suffered from gummy smile ranging from 4-6 mm due to hypermobility of the upper lip or short upper lip. Pre-operative measurement of the amount of gingival display during smiling was recorded digitally using Adobe Photoshop cs6 through well standardized photographs. Lip repositioning surgery was performed under local anesthesia for all patients by removing a strap of epithelium through an elliptical outline followed by primary closure of the wound by interrupted 0-5 resorbable suture. All patients were followed up at 14 days, 4 months, 8 months and 12 months, postoperative assessment was done by measuring the same preoperative measurement. Results: Post-operative measurements at 14 days follow up, showed marked reduction in the gingival display. However complete relapse was observed at 4smonth and thereafter.Conclusion: Lip repositioning surgery isn’t an effective technique in addressing excess gingival display with almost complete relapse associated with the procedure.