Efficacy of a Modified Lip Repositioning Surgery Technique With Tie Levator Labii Superioris and Without Frenectomy and Myotomy for Treatment of Excessive Gingival Display: A Retrospective Study

September 16, 2025 updated by: Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy
This retrospective study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a modified lip repositioning surgery technique, performed without frenectomy and without myotomy, for the correction of excessive gingival display ("gummy smile"). Data were collected from the medical records and clinical photographs of patients who had previously undergone this surgical procedure at the study site.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Excessive gingival display, commonly referred to as a "gummy smile," is an esthetic concern that may reduce patient satisfaction with their smile and overall facial appearance. Several treatment modalities have been suggested to address this condition, including orthodontic treatment, botulinum toxin injection, and various surgical techniques. Among surgical approaches, lip repositioning surgery has gained popularity due to its minimally invasive nature and ability to provide predictable esthetic outcomes.

A modified lip repositioning technique, performed without frenectomy and without myotomy, has been introduced to reduce morbidity and simplify the procedure while maintaining effectiveness. However, published evidence has largely come from prospective interventional series.

To further evaluate the clinical performance of this modified technique, we conducted a retrospective observational cohort study. Data were obtained from the medical records and clinical photographs of patients who had previously undergone the modified lip repositioning surgery at the study site. No new patients were enrolled and no interventions were prospectively carried out.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

32

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Vietnam
      • Can Tho, Vietnam, 900000
        • Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients who had previously undergone modified lip repositioning surgery without frenectomy and without myotomy for the correction of excessive gingival display.

Data were collected retrospectively from medical records and clinical photographs of eligible patients treated at the study site during the defined study period.

Only patients with complete documentation before and after surgery were included.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients treated with the modified lip repositioning surgery without frenectomy and without myotomy.
  • Complete medical records including pre- and post-operative documentation.
  • Clinical photographs available before and after surgery.
  • Minimum follow-up period documented (≥ 3 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • The patient has trauma and facial deformities
  • Incomplete medical records or missing photographs.
  • Patients lost to follow-up before minimum period.
  • Patients who had undergone other concurrent surgical/orthodontic procedures affecting gingival display.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Modified Lip Repositioning Surgery (Retrospective Cohort)
This cohort includes patients who had previously undergone the modified lip repositioning surgery technique without frenectomy and without myotomy. Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records and clinical photographs. No prospective intervention was performed.
Procedure: Modified Lip Repositioning Surgery (Retrospective)
Patients previously underwent a modified lip repositioning surgery technique without frenectomy and without myotomy. For this retrospective study, only existing medical records and clinical photographs were reviewed. No new surgical intervention was performed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction in gingival display after modified lip repositioning surgery
Time Frame: Baseline and up to 12 months post-surgery
Measurement of gingival display (in millimeters) on smile, comparing baseline (before surgery) and last available follow-up (after surgery), based on clinical photographs and medical records.
Baseline and up to 12 months post-surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Lam N Le, PhD, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 12, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 12, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

September 20, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 7, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 17, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

April 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 19, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Le Nguyen Lam

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe