My teeth are barely showing when smiling and talking, and I want to have a full smile. Lip lift or other procedure? (Photo)

In order to show more when you are smiling it would be necessary to remove a portion of orbicularis oris muscle in the upper lip. You should discuss this issue with a board certified plastic surgeon familiar with this procedure. Good luck.

A conservative lip lift about 4 mm as well as a muscle lift will likely not change the distance very much between your nose and your lips, but will give you more incisive show. So muscle supplication I may be a good way to give you more incisive show with very little distance change between your lip and your nose.

For an aesthetic smile, the upper teeth should be visible about 1-2 mm above the natural lip position, and when smiling, all teeth and 1-2 mm of gum tissue should be visible. The reason your teeth may not be visible could be due to your upper jaw being set back or an excess length of your upper lip. I believe orthognathic surgery is a good option for achieving a natural smile and a balanced aesthetic appearance.Individuals with lower or upper jaws positioned more forward or backward than normal due to genetic characteristics often require orthognathic treatment and jaw surgery. This skeletal disorder is addressed through both orthodontic treatments and surgical procedures. Additionally, jaw surgery is a suitable treatment for those with overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites. Patients who have facial asymmetry, suffer from sleep apnea, or desire a stronger jawline are also ideal candidates.
Furthermore, individuals seeking a V-shaped facial structure can benefit from this surgery. The procedure allows for the creation of specific jawline aesthetics, such as the ‘Texas jaw’ or ‘California jaw,’ catering to those who wish to enhance their facial contours in these specific styles.

You would benefit from a lip lift. 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.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.