Lip Incompetence

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have scoured the internet to find a solution to my lip incompetence, but can’t get answers. My lips are apart at rest and my chin dimples and strains when I put my lips together. This also makes my chin look receded. My nose to top lip measures 18mm and my chin to bottom lip measures 36mm. The gap between my lips measures 11mm. It would mean so much to me if you’d take a few minutes to review my measurements and photos and determine if you think you might be able to help me. Thank you so much!

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your lip/chin pictures. When I first looked at your amount of lip incompetence from the front view I thought there is nothing that really could be done as that was just ‘the way you were made to be.’ But when I saw your side view I knew instantly why you would have such a degree of lip incompetence and chin muscle strain…you have a major chin/jaw deficiency. Your chin looks receded when you close your lips because it ireally is. You have a major chin bone deficiency. What you need is a sliding genioplasty to move the chin bone forward . This will reduce your chin muscle strain and will go a long way to helping your lip incompetence.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana