I’d like my upper teeth to be more exposed when I speak. Is an upper lip lift the proper procedure? (Photo)

Question

Only my bottom teeth show when I speak. I also have to smile very drastically to expose my upper teeth so I find myself never smiling for photographs because the smile looks exaggerated and unnatural.. i also have to curl the lip so much it creates a fold/shadow at my upper lip (see below). Will an upper lip lift remedy this issue? What is the ballpark cost for the procedure?

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

An upper lip lift does three things:
1. Shortens the distance of the base of the nose to the upper lip Vermilion.
2. Allows your upper teeth to be seen, which is aesthetically beneficial in most cases.
3. Everts the upper lip Vermilion (rolls it outwards) to a very minor degree. I tell my patients that if they are coming to me for an upper lip lift and expect a a good deal of added "real estate" to their upper lip, they will be disappointed. 
An upper lip lift will give you an alluring, model-type look as you see in the glossy fashion magazines. To get a complete assessment, a plastic surgeon needs to see you in person and also assess your upper lip against the backdrop of your upper teeth when your mouth is slightly parted.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello chylryanWe now have so many options both surgical and non surgical to create beautiful lips and a sexy smile. In general, we can reshape, rejuvenate and add volume. There are fillers, silicone implants, dissolving thread implants, lip lifts, lip reductions, peels, and then of course cosmetic dental care to improve the color shape and contour of your teeth and gums.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear chylryan,it is hard to tell without an examination. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

to shorten the upper lip and get more upper tooth show, a lip lift is the procedure of choice. Whether the lip lift will help you requires a careful and detailed assessment of your goals and examination of the face and lips. It is hard to say based on these two photos but you would probably benefit from a liplift to get upper tooth show

I’d like my upper teeth to be more exposed when I speak. Is an upper lip lift the proper procedure? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

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Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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I’d like my upper teeth to be more exposed when I speak. Is an upper lip lift the proper procedure? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Lip lift

Answer: Lip lift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Lift

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