Directing the force vector directly: Use of micro-implants for correction of gummy smiles

Abstract

The treatment of a patient involving a skeletal Class II facial profile having a gummy smile due to vertical maxillary excess along with short upper lip is reported. In such cases, the outcome may not always be predictable by orthodontic therapy alone. Hence, surgical therapy is often selected for the dentoalveolar correction to achieve the desired esthetic goal. However sometimes the patient refuses to undergo surgical treatment and an alternative method needs to be considered. Mini-implants have revolutionized orthodontic treatment by providing absolute anchorage. Skeletal anchorage systems such as miniscrews are now frequently used for the correction of severe malocclusion that previously would be treated by surgical therapy. In this case a patient with gummy smile was treated by using miniscrews, assisted intrusion arm as part of the orthodontic mechanotherapy.