A patient with severe maxillary gingival exposure treated with combined compression osteogenesis of the anterior alveolar bone and conventional Le Fort I osteotomy.

Excessive gingival exposure at the maxillary anterior region during not only smiling (a gummy face) but also at rest creates both functional and aesthetic problems for patients. We herein introduce a unique treatment procedure for mandibular retrognathia with a gummy face. This procedure combines conventional Le Fort I osteotomy and following corticotomy at the anterior region of the maxilla. Subsequently, the anterior segment is continuously compressed (compression osteogenesis) in a posterior-superior direction until it reaches an ideal position. This procedure appears to safely and adequately resolve both the aesthetic and functional complaints associated with patients with a gummy face.