What Can I Do to Reverse my Sunken Look and Broaden my Smile? (photo)

Question

I had 4 teeth extracted before for my orthodontic treatment 5 years ago when I was 16. Then I started notice the caved in teeth, narrow smile and prominent nasolabial lines. I was hoping to reverse this sunken look with braces so I went for damon. Now I am still in treatment but almost three months have past, and I still see my teeth all caved in and the lines around mouth. What should I do to address my concern? Would damon braces be enough to help address the problems? (Photos attached)

Raj Kumar, BDS, LDSRCS · Answer

No is the answer. Some patients who have had premolar extractions seem to think that their face has sunk in. It is true there will be some shrinkage at the extraction site, but that will not affect you facial profile and features. You have braces on and they can help straighten the teeth, lift up the teeth and widen the smile. Nasolabial folds are the lines from your nose to your mouth corners and they can be genetically orientated.My advice would be get a great smile, maybe porcelain veneers to enhance the hollywood look and some Juvederm filler into the folds to lift them up.

Charles Sutera, DMD · Answer

Based on your question it seems you are very knowledgeable about your treatment and facial anatomy in general which is great. My particular niche in dentistry is in smile design to enhance facial aesthetics. In regards to your photos, you have soft feminine facial features which are generally symmetrical in the frontal view. This is generally considered aesthetic. I do agree with you that you have a narrow smile display as you only show just past the canines when you smile. I also notice your dental midline in the photos is slightly to the left of your facial midline, and your teeth are relatively low in the lower facial third. The current midline discrepancy and the width of the smile can often be resolved with your orthodontic treatment. You should discuss these concerns with your orthodontist to have better expectations of the results anticipated at the end of treatment. In regards to the teeth appearing slightly low, you may want to consider raising the level of the gums. Raising the gum, would give the illusion that the teeth sit higher on your face. This would create better facial harmony and would compliment your facial features nicely. In regards to the "sunken" look, it is difficult to see what you mean in the photos without seeing a profile photo. You may be referring to the narrow display of teeth or the gums as I discussed above. Other times, however, the mouth may look sunken due to the relationship between the nose, mouth, and chin in the profile view. This would require more evaluation to determine the best treatment.

Michael P. Negru, DDS, FAGD - Account Suspended · Answer

I would check with a dentist that provides DNA Appliance treatment in your area. Just Google DNA Appliance and find a provider near you and discuss options.

What Can I Do to Reverse my Sunken Look and Broaden my Smile? (photo)

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What Can I Do to Reverse my Sunken Look and Broaden my Smile? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Smile Makeover

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