One side of upper lift drooping, can it be fixed with lip lift to show more teeth on that side when smiling? (Photos)

Question

The left side of my upper lip droops more than the right and gives me an asymmetrical smile. Would I be a candidate for a lip lift or possibly a unilateral lip lift to correct it? I ideally I want to show an even amount of teeth on both sides when I smile. the left side needs to show more of the incisor.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Facial asymmetry is very common and your asymmetry is mild. However, we can pull more on one side than the other with a lip lift. It can be done unilaterally or bilaterally. A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. The procedure takes one hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $3,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Correcting asymmetry in the upper lip to achieve a more balanced smile can be approached in a few different ways:

Lip Lift Options: A lip lift can help elevate the upper lip, potentially correcting asymmetry. In your case, a unilateral lip lift might be considered to specifically target the drooping side. This procedure can adjust the position of the lip to show more teeth on the affected side.

Considerations: When considering a lip lift, it's important to evaluate the degree of asymmetry and overall facial harmony. A board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help determine if a unilateral lip lift is suitable for your specific situation.

Alternative Treatments: In some cases, dermal fillers or Botox might be used to address minor asymmetries. Fillers can add volume and structure, while Botox can help relax muscles that contribute to unevenness.

Consultation: A thorough consultation with a qualified professional is essential. They can assess your facial anatomy and discuss the best approach to achieve a symmetrical smile.

Expected Results: Keep in mind that while surgical interventions can significantly improve symmetry, perfect symmetry is not always achievable. It's important to have realistic expectations and discuss these with your surgeon.

Seeking advice from a skilled professional will provide you with the best options tailored to your needs.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

From the photos provided, there appears to be a definite difference in both the volume and height of the left side of the upper lip. If this is indeed so, then a small amount of medium viscosity HA filler injected into the body of the left side of the upper lip combined with a small amount of a low viscosity, malleable, cohesive HA filler to better define the vermilion border of the left side of the upper lip would help to create a nonsurgical lip flip that would achieve symmetry between the left and right sides of the upper lip.  For further lip flip, if still necessary, a couple of microdroplets of Botox can be used right above the left upper vermilion area.  
You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert and best of luck.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It seems that lip lift would be a good solution. However, it should be done in an asymmetric fashion removing more lip on the droopy side rather then doing unilateral lift only. Good luck.

One side of upper lift drooping, can it be fixed with lip lift to show more teeth on that side when smiling? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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