What Are My Options To Address My Lower Lip Incompetence?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have attached some facial images. My main goal is to address my lip incompetence which causes a strain on my chin. I hope to correct my mouth breathing and grogginess/ sore throat in the mornings after sleeping. I’ve spoken to a few orthodontists about this concern, and they have told me I should consult with a plastic surgeon to review what options I have since it is outside of their scope. I would just like to know what options, if any, there are to address my lip incompetence!

A:You have lower lip incompetence and nocturnal mouth breathing issues because your lower jaw is underdeveloped. Your chin recession is merely a symptom of your lower jaw under development. The optimal approach is a combination of orthodontics and lower jaw advancement surgery. This will rectify all of your associated symptoms to the best that can be achieved.. Short of this ideal solution your only other option is a sliding genioplasty chin bone advancement which will help some of these concerns but will not completely solve them.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon