Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the improvement of gingival exposure to smile with the use of botulinum toxin. Material and methods: 42 patients were selected, 5 male and 37 female, with a mean age of 28.8 years (s.d. 5.90, minimum age 19 years and maximum age 41 years). The selected patients underwent botulinum toxin application (DysportIpsen). The technique used for application of botulinum toxin is the application of 2 U (equivalent to 2 risks syringe) of intramuscular injection of 45 degrees to the face of the flat side of the nostril, slightly below the top of nasolabial folds on the right and left sides for the paralysis of the levator muscles of the upper lip and nose wing. The smiling extraoral photographs of individuals in two phases were evaluated, one before and another 15 days after the application of the botulinum toxin. The incisor measurement was made from the cervical to the incisal edge vertically and was used to calibrate the Radiocef 2 software Radiomemory company (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil), used as a reference for measuring the estomion-incisal to tooth 11 variable. The comparison of the two measurements was performed with dependent t test. Results: After the application of botulinum toxin there was a reduction of approximately 97% of the gummy smile. The mean gingival exposure before treatment was 3.30 mm, the mean reduction of this exposure was 3.20 mm, and mean final gingival exposure was 0.10 mm. Conclusion: The application of Botulinum Toxin resulted in a decrease of 3.20mm of estomion-incisal to tooth 11measurement, indicating an improvement of 97% of gingival exposure at smiling.
