Would an upper lip lift help my teeth show more when smiling? (photos)

Question

This is an odd question, but is there a way to make my smile a little gummier? Unless I really force it and slightly scrunch my nose, my teeth don't really show when smiling. I had a rhinoplasty over 3 weeks ago but my upper lip looks longer because nose was shortened but smile has always been like this. Is there a way tj make smile bigger or show more gum like my cousin's? Would a lip lift be the only solution? Thanks!

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

There are surgical and non-surgical approaches to lip augmentation. Non-surgical approaches include botox (slight lift, reducing gum show) and filler (volume restoration). Surgically, you can have two separate incisions under the nose (italian), one incision under the nose (bull horn), one incision at the red/white upper lip junction (gull wing) or two separate incision at the corners, or a combination, depending on your desired look and anatomy. My preferred surgical technique is called the Elelyft, which is a version of the bullhorn approach.
The ideal candidate for the Elelyft, or upper lip lift, is someone with a philtral length of 15mm or longer, no upper dental show, and/or a thin upper lip. The nasal base to mouth width ratio needs to be taken into consideration to avoid leaving the lip corners down. 
It would be nice to see your lips on repose (open but with no smile) for further advice but overall yes the lip lift can potentially give you a more gummy smile. Hope that helps.
Gary Linkov, MD
Lip Specialist
Manhattan

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

An internal mucosal excision can be done to roll the upper lip under to show more teeth/gims but that would make your upper lip even thinner. Thus either a subnasal lip lift or a lip advancement would be your only treatment options to achieve your goal of a gummier smile.

Would an upper lip lift help my teeth show more when smiling? (photos)

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Would an upper lip lift help my teeth show more when smiling? (photos)

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