Periodontal Plastic Surgery to Improve Aesthetics in Patients with Altered Passive EruptionGummy Smile : A Case Series Study

Abstract EN

Altered passive eruption/gummy smile is a common challenge in patients requiring aesthetic treatment.

A specific surgical protocol was designed and tested in patients with altered passive eruption.

Standardized preoperative X-rays were used to assess crown length at baseline and to place submarginal incisions.

Osseous respective therapy was performed to achieve biological width.

Clinical outcomes were recorded 6 months after surgery.

Eleven patients with a total of 58 teeth were treated with flap surgery and osseous resective therapy at upper anterior natural teeth.

At the last followup, a significant and stable improvement of crown length was obtained when compared to the baseline (P<0.0001).

All patients rated as satisfactory in the final outcomes (final VAS value = 86.6).

In conclusion, this study showed that periodontal plastic surgery including osseous resection leads to predictable outcomes in the treatment of altered passive eruption/gummy smile: A careful preoperative planning avoids unpleasant complications and enhances postsurgical stability of the gingival margin.