Age for Lip Repositioning Surgery

What Is Gummy Smile and How Can It Be Treated?

Excessive gummy display when smiling, also called Gummy Smile, Excessive Gingival Display, or EGD, is often considered a cosmetic challenge and negatively affects the smile. The harmony of the smile is measured not only by the shape, position, and color of the teeth but also by the position and shape of the gums, which are also very important.

Common Causes of a Gummy Smile:

• Maxillary overgrowth,

• Anterior dentoalveolar extrusion,
• Altered passive growth,
• Short or hyperactive upper lip, or
• A combination of the above factors

Surgical Options for Treating Gummy Smiles

Excessive gum exposure is treated with crown lengthening surgery with or without bone removal, dentoalveolar extrusion with orthodontics, and maxillary overgrowth with orthognathic surgery. Orthognathic surgery is a hospital surgery under general anesthesia, and the recovery period is long and relatively difficult for the patient.

What Is Lip Repositioning Surgery and How Does It Work?

Lip Repositioning is an alternative surgery to treat gummy smile during smiling and involves controlling the overactivity of the upper lip during laughter. During this surgery, the movement of the muscles that lift the lips when smiling is limited, causing less muscle tension, and for this reason, the display of the gums when smiling is reduced. This method is considered less invasive and safe, with minimal discomfort and side effects in treating this beauty problem. Like all dental treatments, the critical point is that it is possible to choose the type of treatment after careful examination and necessary analysis by the dentist.

What Is the Best Age for Lip Repositioning Surgery?

Lip repositioning surgery is a versatile procedure that can benefit people of a wide age range. However, certain factors influence the optimal age for this surgery:

1. Full growth
   The ultimate eligibility criteria for the procedure are the ones who have already gone through the entire process of facial and skeletal development and hence around the ages of 16-18 for females and 18-20 for males. Doing this operation on the growing individuals may change over time as they are still undergoing the natural process of facial development.
2. Oral and gum health
   Candidates must have healthy gums and teeth. Younger patients should have a well-developed oral health plan to ensure proper recovery and maintenance after surgery.
3. Mental preparation
   While the surgery is minimally invasive, it is essential that the patient is mentally prepared and has realistic expectations about the results. This readiness often develops in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Lip Repositioning Surgery for Teenagers, Young Adults, and Older Adults

• Teenagers (16-18 years old):
  If a gum smile significantly affects a teen’s self-esteem, the procedure may be an option after growth has been fully reached. The dentist thoroughly reviews the patient’s teeth through consultation to determine the right time to fix it.
• Young adults (18-30 years old):
  That is the usual age range in which lip position altering occurs, as quite a few people look for a bright smile improvement for their own or professional purposes.
• Middle-aged adults (30-50 years old):
  Of course, it is also possible that patients over 30 years old and younger than 50 are the ones who are mainly identified due to the surgery as they experience lip repositioning. Specifically to the ones who have found changes in their smiles due to aging problems or other factors.
• Older adults (over 50 years old):
  Even though lip repositioning is not so common when older adults are concerned, it can still be an option for those with healthy gums and realistic expectations.

Why Timing Matters in Lip Repositioning Surgery?

Choosing the right age to change the position of the lips ensures:

• Long-term results
• Minimizing the risk of complications
• Increased satisfaction with the result

How to Choose the Right Specialist for Lip Repositioning Surgery

An experienced specialist like Dr. Ghayoumi, DDS, can provide individual consultation and guide you on what to do depending on the person’s requirements and situation.

Is Lip Repositioning Surgery Right for You?

The perception of a gummy smile depends on individual perspectives and confidence levels. But this is the most common smile, as it is estimated that 10% of 20- to 30-year-old adults have a gummy smile.
If you are considering lip repositioning surgery, it will be best to understand the time required for the procedure. For more information and to determine whether this is the best time for you, consult Dr. Ghayoumi, DDS.
Don’t let timing catch you up from getting that dream smile right now.