Orthodontic treatment of gummy smile by using mini-implants (Part I): Treatment of vertical growth of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex

Tae-Woo KIM, Benedito Viana FREITAS

Orthodontic mini-implants have revolutionized orthodontic anchorage and biomechanics by making anchorage perfectly stable. In the irst part of this study, ‘gummy smile’ was deined and classiied according to its etiologies. Among them, dentoalveolar type, a good indication for mini-implant treatment, was divided into three categories that will be presented in consecutive articles: a) Cases with vertical growth of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex (Cases 1, 2, 3), b) Cases with protrusion of anterior dentoalveolar complex (Cases 4, 5), and c) Cases with protrusion of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex and extrusion of upper posterior teeth (Cases 6, 7). Three cases with excessive vertical growth of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex will be presented. They were characterized with extrusion and retroclination of upper incisors, deep overbite, and gummy smile. The aim of this paper is to show the mini-implant useful at the anterior area to intrude incisors and gummy smile correction. Upper anterior mini-implant (1.6 x 6.0 mm) and a NiTi closed coil spring were used to intrude and procline the retroclined extruded incisors. Mini-implants can be used successfully as orthodontic anchorage to intrude anterior teeth.

Keywords: Mini-implants. Intrusion. Gummy smile. Segmented arch.

Friday, December 27, 2024 14:20