Distance from nose to lip is ideal, but my teeth do not show at all?

Question

The distance from my nose to top lip is perfectly fine, it looks proportionate and is only 10mm in distance. but I have difficulty smiling as my smile is small vertically because my top teeth do not show at all at rest. In fact, only half of my top teeth show when I do smile. Is a lip lift a suitable procedure? or is this an issue with my teeth or facial structure?

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 14mm 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. In your situation, 10mm is short and if in fact that distance is accurate then I would recommend against an upper lip lift. But sometimes the measurement may be off and should be done by your surgeon in consultation. Consult with an experienced lip surgeon for a complete range of options that are appropriate for your situation.
Gary Linkov, MDLip Specialist
Manhattan

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, it is impossible to make any type of recommendation without at least a few photos. I recommend scheduling an in-person assessment with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in customized lip lift procedures. It is possible that you would benefit from a limited lip lift that increases your mucosal show without reducing the distance between your lip and the base of the nose. It is also possible injectable lip fillers might help you get better shape to your upper lip. A qualified surgeon will be able to tell you for sure after an examination of your lip and discussion of your concerns and goals.

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi, Your options may include a very conservative lip lift, or more likely, some dental implants to lengthen and symmetrize you teeth.Best,

Distance from nose to lip is ideal, but my teeth do not show at all?

Answers (3)

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