A Modified Technique for Obtaining Maximum Maxillary Dental and Gingival Display for Esthetic Assessment

Background Determining the lip smile line is a key component of esthetic and prosthetic evaluation in dentate, partially, and fully edentulous patients, as it quantifies dentogingival exposure and informs necessary surgical or prosthetic interventions, especially in high smile line cases. Purpose To present a simple technique for capturing accurate maximum smile records to enhance prosthodontic planning and smile design. Methods The technique involves photographing patients smiling with their eyes closed over multiple appointments, helping them reproduce a natural, uninhibited maximum smile in a clinical setting. Results This method improves the accuracy of smile records, aiding in the determination of finish lines for fixed dental prostheses (FDP) and transition lines for implant-supported FDPs (ISFDP/ICFDP), thus reducing the risk of esthetic compromise. Conclusion A multi-appointment, eyes-closed photography approach offers a practical and effective strategy to capture reliable maximum smile records for esthetic dental treatment planning.