Gingivectomy and osteotomy in the resolution of altered passive eruption: a clinical case report

Abstract

Gingival smile is a term used for condition in which more than 3 mm of gums are exposed during spontaneous or forced smile. Increased maxillary vertical dimension, hypermobility of the upper lip, gingival growth caused by medications or by inflammatory processes and altered passive eruption are the etiologies of the gingival smile. Among the possibilities of treatment in the correction of this condition is the gingivectomy associated or not to the osteotomy. The objective of this study is to discuss, through a clinical case report, the identification of altered passive eruption, surgical planning and the performance of the gingivectomy technique associated with osteotomy. A 17-year-old female patient complained of short, square teeth and excessive gum exposure during the smile. The altered passive eruption diagnosis was completed in the clinical examination supplemented with periapical radiography. Gingivectomy and osteotomy of tooth 15 to 25 were performed. It was concluded that gingivectomy associated with osteotomy is a safe and predictable technique capable of obtaining satisfactory and long-lasting results in the aesthetic treatment of patients with altered passive eruption.