The chief goal of combination therapy using guided tissue regeneration along with bone grafts is to optimally and predictably regenerate the periodontal attachment apparatus. The evolution of regenerative therapy along with careful patient selection and treatment planning can have positive results even in cases which are not ideal. The present case report describes a tooth with a questionable prognosis treated successively by endodontic then periodontal therapy using an amniotic membrane along with a bone graft to treat an intrabony defect. The follow-up, 12 months later showed a resolution of the interradicular lesion and a radiographic bone fill.
Introduction
Treating the patients with excessive gingival display to provide a pleasant smile is a challenge to the periodontist. Gummy smile can be due to excessive vertical bone growth, dentoalveolar extrusion, short upper lip, upper lip hyperactivity, or altered passive eruption. Gummy smile associated with hyperactivity of smile elevator muscles can be treated by surgical techniques like lip repositioning, botulinum toxin injection, lip elongation with rhinoplasty, detachment of the lip muscles, and myectomy. Regardless of the technique used, to achieve a predictable result with long‐term stability limiting upper lip movement when the patient smiles, firm muscle containment is imperative.
Case Presentation
The case report describes the excessive gingival display having a multifactorial etiology in a 25‐year‐old female patient. Altered passive eruption in upper anterior teeth was treated by crown lengthening followed by management of hyperactive lip using a diode laser‐assisted lip repositioning along with traction and muscle containment. Excellent and predictable results were obtained after a 1‐year follow‐up without the relapse of gummy smile.
Conclusions
The case report showed an excellent result when treated by a combined approach of an innovative procedure with laser‐assisted lip repositioning aimed at maintaining the traction and containment of the smile elevator muscles along with crown lengthening procedure by gingivectomy.
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