Is Subnasal Lip Surgery Possible if One Has a Gummy Smile and a Pug Nose?

asked 1 year ago by California5784 in California
Latest answer by Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Question viewed 427 times
Tags: smile, female, gummy, scar

Hi. Ever since I was a teenager I've wanted a narrower space between my nose and upper lip (only a space reduction, no fillers to the lips). Is it possible to have a subnasal lip lift for me who has a gummy smile and a bit of a pug nose? Does the shape of the nose tip and nostrils have an impact on how well the scar might show or fade post operation? Thanks you in advance for your answers.

6 answers to Is Subnasal Lip Surgery Possible if One Has a Gummy Smile and a Pug Nose?

Options for a gummy smile

We encourage patients to always consider the least expensive and invasive options first. For example, using Botox or Dysport to allow the upper lip to relax when smiling so as to not show so much gum tissue/teeth is a relatively easy and inexpensive approach. Unfortunately, the results do not last very long (approx. 9 weeks) because of the strong muscle action. We also use a small amount of Botox or Dysport placed above the lip border to allow for less elongated,... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

How to treat thin lips, gummy smile using Lip Augmentation

From your photos, IMHO both of your lips are thin but your upper lip is very thin. That's why it disappears, revealing the gums when you smile. You should consider Lip Augmentation, of both lips with an Alloderm or Silastic Lip Implant. These would increase the volume of your lips allowing more lip to remain covering the gums when you smile.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

I like to use BOTOX to treat a gummy smile

One of the things that I like to use for treating a gummy smile is BOTOX. There are advanced surgeries that can be helpful as well. But, with BOTOX, not a lot of product is needed to drop the upper lip and it can often be a very subtle and adjustable way to treat a gummy smile. I would recommend this type of treatment particularly for a younger person.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD
Bronx Oculoplastic Surgeon

Lip lift and gummy smile.

I have always considered a gummy smile;e to be a contraindication for a lip lift. However, there is an operation for the gummy smile . If it were done first and was successfull, then a subnasal lip lift could be performed.

Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD
Oakland Facial Plastic Surgeon

An Upper Lip Lift Can Worsen A Gummy Smile

The combination of a long upper lip and an animated gummy smile poses a challenge. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a subnasal lip lift as that can be done whether you have a gummy smile or not. But you need to be aware that it will likely make the gummy smile appear worse...possibly. At rest, your upper lip will look better having a shorter lip length. But in smile, the shorter upper lip will show more gum tissue between the bottom edge of the lower lip and the teeth. That is a trade-o more