Lipswitch Vestibuloplasty Using the ‘Lock & Glide’ Technique: A Case Report
Madhumitha Aravinth *
Department of Periodontology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
Ranjith Mari
Department of Periodontology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
Anitha Balaji
Department of Periodontology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
M. Mouniha Sameera
Department of Periodontology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Shallow vestibular depth in the anterior mandible compromises oral hygiene and predisposes to mucogingival problems. Conventional lipswitch vestibuloplasty often suffers relapse due to muscular tension from the mentalis muscle. This case report presents a 25yearold male with a thin gingival phenotype and inadequate vestibular depth, treated using a dualsuturing approach that combines simple interrupted sutures for periosteal fixation with interlocking and pterygiuminspired anchoring sutures in the lip mucosa. The technique provided immediate flap adaptation and longterm resistance against relapse. At six months, the patient demonstrated stable vestibular depth, improved oral hygiene, and absence of gingival recession. This case report highlights the potential of integrating ophthalmic suturing principles into periodontal surgery to achieve predictable outcomes in complex clinical scenarios.
Keywords: Lipswitch vestibuloplasty, transpositional flap, interlocking suture, pterygium‑inspired suturing, mucogingival surgery