Aetiology and prevalence of gummy smile : Eziopatogenesi e distribuzione nella popolazione del sorriso gengivale

Optimal aesthetics is one of the objectives of an orthodontic treatment; failure to achieve it makes final result unacceptable. As facial aesthetics is largely determined by the relation between lips and teeth during smile, patients usually evaluate the success of treatment on the basis of that relation. In some people full smiling causes the exposition of a large gingival area underlying the upper lip. This condition, known as "gummy smile", is considered unpleasant by some Authors and potentially compromising for individual psychological development. According to orthodontic literature, gummy smile occurs more often in women and young people and it is related to skeletal and periodontal factors and the activity of facial muscles. Therefore the accurate diagnosis is essential to find what are the elements causing this clinical condition in order to improve dentofacial aesthetic.