What Is A Normal Amount of Mouth Protrusion?

Q: Dr. Eppley, If you were to look at a side view x-ray of several different Caucasian women, how far forward would the maxilla extend from the eyes? 

I have maxillary protrusion and would like to get a flatter/softer and less full mouth. I’d just like to get an idea of how many millimeters is within the normal range for a woman of Northern European descent. (horizontally not vertically, so from where the eyes sit to the most prominent point of the maxilla/front teeth) 

I know the standard is to draw a vertical line from the forehead to the maxilla but if someone has an overdeveloped forehead and nose which are going to be reduced to soften the overall appearance, based around orbital projection, I’d like to know where the maxilla sits. 

If you ever have time to take a look at a few random x-rays to get an idea, please let me know if you get the chance.

A: The question you are asking can not be determined by x-ray. You are demonstrating in the picture the vertical distance from the corner of the eye to the soft tissue lip position…neither of which is seen on an x-ray nor are there any anthropometric standards for that vertical facial linear distance.. Such soft tissue structures are only seen on pictures, x-rays can only show the bony infraorbital rim and the upper teeth.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana