I'm 20 and I am a mouth breather, can I fix my features without surgery in any other way? (photos)

Question

I've been a mouth breather since I was a child, and it has changed my looks quite much. My nose got a bit bigger, and my forehead is sloping, I also have a little bit of a gummy smile. I started practicing breathing through my nose, and keeping my lips and teeth together and my tongue on the roof of my mouth. Is this going to help me? Do I have a chance to change my looks by doing this? Is there still hope for me even though I'm 20?

Sophie Ricketts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Hi,I think your mouth breathing may not be a result of nasal obstruction but of "lip strain" due to your facial skeletal structure.If you had a cephalogram done which is a special X-ray used to measure your facial proportions you would probably find that you have a slightly longer than average lower face. This is likely partly to do with vertical maxillary excess which is where your upper and/or lower jaw is has a longer dimension which brings your upper teeth lower relative to your upper lip, resulting in a gummy smile.The effect of this is slight 'strain' in getting your lips together, so in repose (relaxed lips) you naturally tend to be in a 'mouth open' pose.I would recommend seeing a craniofacially trained plastic surgeon to discuss your facial proportions. The discussion may end in you deciding you do not wish to change your facial structure at all! - which is perfectly reasonable, since it is moderately involved surgery (to change the position of your upper and lower jaws - bi-maxillary osteotomy) and orthodontics (braces) would almost certainly be necessary.Take care and good luck!

Carlos L. Wolf, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that your attempt at changing  your habits will help you change your looks or the problem with mouth breathing. You need to be evaluated by an ENT Facial Plastic surgeon who is trained in both the functional and aesthetic aspects of your upper areo-digestive system.

Marcelo Ghersi, MD · Answer

Hello. Thanks for your request and message. First of all, the appearance of your forehead, nose and lip have nothing to do with your breathing. Similarly, no "exercise" is going to change the anatomic features of your face. Breathing problems can be either surgical or medical, I would seek the expertise of a rhinoplasty surgeon for a clinical assessment.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photo.  I don't think you have done anything to impact the shape of your face. I cannot think of a way that "mouth breathing" would result in any significant changes especially the changes that you have described.  Since these changes are mostly genetic they are programmed to occur and not much can be done at a personal level to change them one way or another.  There are some options of correcting the issues that you have listed.  It will be important to consider, however, what is most important to you as well as an appreciation for who you are as you are.I hope this helps.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello,
I think this is question related to function and not with the aesthetics and therefore not only an examination in persone and some investigations will be needed to really answer you well.
Wish you all the best

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures, using dermal fillers and facial implants (cheek, chin) for over 30 years.  From the photos, your cheeks are very flat anteriorly, the maxilla (area behind the upper lip) is weak or pushed in and the chin is weak.  I suspect that their is malocclusion of your bite as well.  These combine to create an elongated face.  The face can be made more feminine, using dermal fillers to create specific shape and contour without surgery.  Following the beauty principles outlined in my book on face and body beauty, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.  A weak chin creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a dermal filler or a chin implant, for a permanent enhancement, will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick and highly effective.  The cheeks can be made more full and round in the front which will feminize the entire face.  The chin can be augmented and projected using a dermal filler to create harmony and balance to the lower face.  At some future time, both the cheeks and chin areas could be permanently enhanced with cheek and chin implants.  You may want to see an orthodontist about your bite and recessed maxilla.  The specific maneuvers you describe will have no effect on your external appearance.Hope this helps.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Without an in person exam we can not determine if your nasal issue is surgical or medical.  Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations.

I'm 20 and I am a mouth breather, can I fix my features without surgery in any other way? (photos)

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