How Much More Tooth Show Would Occur By Upper Lip Reduction?

Q: Dr. Eppley, On the smile and tooth show point, that’s helpful to know up front. A few follow-up questions on the direct upper lip excision along the smile line:

– How much additional tooth show is typically achieved with this approach?

– What does the scar look like at maturity, and how visible is it during normal expression?

– Can it be performed in the same operative session as the midface and jawline work, or is it staged separately?

– What is the typical recovery timeline, and are there any functional considerations (lip mobility, sensation) I should be aware of?

A:In answer to your specific questions:

1) Usually one to 2 mm of increase tooth show is achieved by smile line reduction.

2) The scar line from small line reduction is at the wet– dry line of the upper lip.

3) Smile line reduction can be performed at the same time as the other facial procedures.

4) There is going to be some short-term tightness with smiling but, given that you may be having a custom midface mask implant placed intraorally as well , that is an issue you’re going to have anyway in the short-term that will take about a month after surgery to fully resolve.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon