I still have an open bite after double jaw surgery, could lip fillers cure it or do I need more surgery in my jaw? (photo)

Question

I had double jaw surgery for an overbite, gummy smile, and receded chin. They did a genioplasty, septoplasty, and moved my upper jaw up and forward and my lower jaw forward. I am a mouth breather and I hate the way my lips look when I force them shut all day long, and it's a pain to think about and do all the time. Did my first double jaw surgery not completely fix my problems, should I get examined and see if my jaws are still not 100% right?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

Kate, first of all, double jaw surgery is not easy to go through.  There is a lot of prep work that goes into it (braces to get the teeth setting right, then the actual surgery itself, then more braces to ensure your bite is proper - not to mention the cosmetic aspect of it!).  You are doing and looking fantastic.  That being said, gummy smile can happen when the upper jaw is moved up and forward as the upper lip is attached to the lower end of the pyriform aperture, and the tiny little cuts are made just above it.  This results in moving your nose up and out, as well as lifting your lip and showing more teeth.  You have a couple different options here.  You can do botox for gummy smile - the downside being that it will only last a few months.  You could do fillers as well, being careful to balance your lower lip and upper lip in order to ensure it fits your face.  Your third option would be a more permanent augmentation, with either a V-Y advancement or an implant such as alloderm. I prefer that over the permalip.  Then again, thats just my personal experience.  Regardless, I suggest you discuss this with your orthodontist and oral surgeon as I am sure they would be able to recommend you to someone they work with and trust.  Best of luck! Congratulations on your procedure!

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

While you may have had a sliding genioplasty as part of the double jaw surgery, your chin remains horizontally deficient. Further chin advancement is the best approach to helping improve your lip incompetence.

Regina Rodman, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question and photos.   Lets keep in mind that there are two components to your smile; the teeth and the way they bite together and the soft tissue (lips).  The goal of the surgery is to bring your teeth and bite into a better position.  It looks like you have healed well from that.  The downside of a big advancement is that the soft tissue has to adjust and may need some extra work in it's new position.  
Botox can help the lip to not raise in a gummy smile, so can several other small surgeries.  Augmentation of the lip is another solution either with HA filler or a permanent one like permalip. Revisit your surgeon and ask what options are available for you now.
Best of luck
Dr Rodman

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Firstly, you have beautiful lips! Second, this might not be a problem which lip fillers can fix. You might need facial surgery to fix this problem.

I still have an open bite after double jaw surgery, could lip fillers cure it or do I need more surgery in my jaw? (photo)

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Answer: Dental Show after surgery

Answer: Dental Show after surgery

Answer: Lip Filler

Answer: Lip Filler

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I still have an open bite after double jaw surgery, could lip fillers cure it or do I need more surgery in my jaw? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Dental Show after surgery

Answer: Dental Show after surgery

Answer: Lip Filler

Answer: Lip Filler

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.