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 this Part I, ‘gummy smile’ was defined and classified according to the etiologies. Among them, dentoalveolar type, a good indication of mini-implant treatment, was divided into three categories: (1) Cases with vertical growth of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex (Cases 1, 2, and 3), (2) Cases with protrusion of anterior dentoalveolar complex (Cases 4, and 5), and (3) Cases with protrusion of upper anterior dentoalveolar complex and extrusion of upper posterior teeth (Cases 6, and 7). Three cases with excessive vertical growth of the upper anterior dentoalveolar complex were presented. They were characterized with extruded and retroclined upper incisors, deep overbite, and gummy smile. The aim of this paper is to show that mini-implants are useful in the anterior area to intrude incisors and correct the gummy smile. An 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 13:58