Can my long philtrum, thin lip upper lip and gummy smile be fixed? (Photos)

Question

Hello, I have been looking into a lip lift for a while but got concerned that it may make my gummy smile worse. I have a lot of space between my nose & upper lip, plus my upper lip is really thin. I've tried fillers, it didn't look right. My upper lip is already thin & when I smile my lip disappears & I have way too much gum show. I've tried smiling differently but it happens regardless. Is it possible to fix a gummy smile & also shorten the philtrum/make the upper lip bigger? Thank you!

Gary Linkov, MD · Answer

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. 
In your situation, it is important to see your frontal view in repose (mouth slightly open) to see how much upper dental show there is. The gummy smile can always be mediated with botox starting months after the lip lift. 
Consult with an experienced lip surgeon for a complete range of options that are appropriate for your situation
Gary Linkov, MD
Lip Specialist
Manhattan

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You would get a nice improvement with lip fillers. Volbella, Restylane, and Juvederm are good to create a symmetrical lip. NovaThreads can be used to improve lift and shape. Implants or fat are alternatives. Technique will be important here, so you'll want to see someone meticulous. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases incisor show and pulls up the corners.  In your case, you have a very long nose to lip distance and the corners, particularly the right side, seems to be turned down.  You would benefit from a lip lift but one of the complications may be increased gummy smile.  This can be compensated for by less forceful smiling.  Perhaps you are doing that because you are compensating to pull the corners up.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Can my long philtrum, thin lip upper lip and gummy smile be fixed? (Photos)

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Can my long philtrum, thin lip upper lip and gummy smile be fixed? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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