Can I correct my large buccal corridor (dark spaces at the edge of my smile)? (photo)

Question

I've been in treatment with Invisalign for a while now but I still have concerns with my smile, mainly, my buccal corridors (small teeth and hypermobile lips). Other concerns are the midline, canting, gingival display, and my anterior teeth have been retracted during treatment. I will move onto braces later. My arches are V-Shaped; could I be put in rounder arch wires to bring the premolar areas out to improve the dark spaces? Will braces address the other issues too? I have normal healthy gums.

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

Dark buccal corridors can be corrected at any age.  This involves the use of slow palatal expansion (SPE) with a removable expander.  The pressure is placed against the roof of the mouth, not on the teeth and activations are slow, about one every three days.  In this way the bone structure can change over time and the new bone will become solid.  Since you have had four bicuspid teeth removed, An issue will be whether to open the extraction sites up to finish with dental implants or to strictly widen the upper jaw.  Other factors to consider in this approach will be to access your upper airway, your TMJ function and even head posture.  Ideally this is done with a 3D Cone beam x-ray unit.  With good conservative treatment using SPE you should be very happy with the result.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

The fact that you know what "buccal corridors" means tells me that you have been listening (reading) to doctors who stress expansion as part of their treatment plan.The whole idea of buccal corridor problem is really a made up issue designed to justify expansion treatment. There is no good scientific research that shows that this can be changed in a stable way with orthodontic only treatment.

N. Summer Lerch, DDS, FAGD - Account Suspended · Answer

HI There,  We love Julia Roberts smiles around here.  We love making men and women beautiful.   A wide smile, seen from any angle with even straight white teeth is sexy and hot.  So very often expansion is the order of the day.  Since you clearly are well educated, I suggest that you find  a picture of a smile that you think would look good on your face, with your size teeth and lips.  Take that pic to your orthodontists and have a heart to heart.  Can it be done?  This is what you want.  Be clear in your expectations.  And listen to the explanation.  Come to an understanding with your orthodontist group.  Then expect to wear retention, a retainer, for the rest of your life.  You have not said how old you are; I have seen too many adults who have come in for a beautiful smile (we treat with Invisalign and whitening/porcelain veneers/crowns) saying that they just stopped wearing their retainers too soon.  So for you, think of retention for a lifetime.  That is the best guarantee you can have that your smile will last.  Best of luck!

Can I correct my large buccal corridor (dark spaces at the edge of my smile)? (photo)

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Can I correct my large buccal corridor (dark spaces at the edge of my smile)? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

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