Effect of V-Y plasty on lip lengthening and treatment of gummy smile

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of isolated V-Y plasty on lip lengthening and the treatment of gummy smile. An isolated V-Y plasty was performed on 14 patients with a gummy smile. In each case, measurements of upper lip length and gingival display were recorded from posed-smile photographs taken preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Gingival display decreased significantly and lip length increased significantly over all intervals investigated. Applying this technique after Le Fort I surgery may be beneficial; however, as with other injection or surgical lip lengthening methods, its stand-alone application should be questioned.