Enhance Your Smile with Lip Repositioning
Do you feel that your smile shows too much of your gums? A gummy smile can impact your confidence, but modern cosmetic dentistry offers solutions to create a more balanced, natural-looking smile.
James Martin, DMD, specializes in lip repositioning or lip-lowering procedures, designed to reduce excessive gum exposure and enhance the aesthetics of your smile.
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What Is Lip Repositioning?
Lip repositioning, also known as reverse vestibuloplasty, is a surgical procedure that lowers the upper lip to prevent it from rising too high. The procedure reduces the amount of visible gum tissue. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that can permanently correct a gummy smile and reduce excessive gum display when smiling, creating a harmonious appearance.
Benefits of Lip Repositioning
Unlike more invasive surgical options, lip repositioning offers a quicker recovery time and long-lasting results with minimal discomfort. The procedure enhances not only the appearance of your smile but also your confidence, giving you a more harmonious and natural look.
If you feel self-conscious about a gummy smile, lip repositioning could be the ideal solution for achieving a more aesthetic and balanced smile.
Here are some of the benefits of this specific procedure:
- Minimally Invasive | No major surgery required and no visible scars.
- Quick Recovery | Most patients resume normal activities within a few days.
- Permanent Results | A long-term solution for a gummy smile.
- Enhanced Confidence | Achieve a natural, more balanced smile with a proportional amount of teeth and gums.
Does Lip Repositioning Leave Scars?
Lip repositioning does not leave any external scarring, but it leaves a small scar inside your lip. It will take just around a week for it to heal fully, and you won’t notice a difference as you eat, speak, or smile. You will be able to notice the difference as you feel more confident in your smile!
Our Process for Lip Repositioning
Lip repositioning is an easy procedure that doesn’t require plastic surgery or even general anesthesia. This process makes a huge difference.
1. Cosmetic consultation
Dr. Martin can help you analyze your facial features and help you visualize what a lip-lowering procedure could do for your smile. Lip lowering can help your smile be less gummy, instead showcasing your beautiful and balanced smile.
If you do decide to move forward with the lip lowering procedure we will schedule your appointment.
During the procedure, we take the next steps to give you a beautiful smile.
2. Local anesthetic is injected into the gums
We prioritize patient comfort and relaxation for any procedure. We offer complimentary sedation on top of local anesthetic for patients who qualify. We use a small needle to inject the anesthetic, so you can’t feel any part of the procedure.
3. Two small incisions are made under the lip
On the inside of your mouth, we will make a small incision to reach the gum tissue and muscles. This incision will heal after a period of a couple of weeks, with the sutures either being removed or dissolving over a short period of time.
4. A small strip of gum tissue and a strip of the muscles that elevate the lip are removed
This ensures that the lip drops over your teeth in the proper position, loosening the muscle that pulls the upper lip too high above your teeth. We remove minimal amounts of tissue, lessening the recovery time.
5. The lip is sutured into a new, lower position
We close the incisions once the lip has dropped down. The sutures will dissolve over a period of a couple of weeks or be removed after you have healed. You may have swelling in the lip area for a couple of days, but it should subside over a period of a couple of days.
The procedure helps to achieve a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing smile. Dr. Martin provides personalized aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing and results.
Recovery:
- You can expect some mild swelling and bruising, which should go away within a week
- You can take pain medication for discomfort
- You should avoid manipulating or mechanically traumatizing the surgery
- You should minimize lip movements when smiling or talking for the first 2 weeks
- Patients are advised to follow a soft diet during the healing process
Who Is a Candidate for Lip Lowering?
You may benefit from a lip lowering or repositioning procedure if you:
- Have excessive gum exposure when smiling (gummy smile)
- Prefer a non-invasive alternative to jaw surgery or orthodontic treatments
- Feel self-conscious about your smile’s appearance
- Have a high upper lip movement that exposes too much gum tissue
Patient Testimonials
Many people who have an overly gummy smile may be looking at laser gum removal or gum lifting, but that cannot always fix a lip that overly shows your teeth. See our before and after pictures to see the difference a lip-lowering procedure can make!
Dr. Martin loves to get to know his patients one-on-one. For new patients, he offers a 2-hour consultation and first patient visit, complete with complimentary X-rays.
Learn more about our patients and their results by visiting our testimonials page.
Before
After
Why Choose James Martin DMD?
Dr. Martin loves to help his visitors feel the very best about their smiles. That looks different for each patient, but it can include a lip-lowering process along with other procedures, or it can be done alone. He will walk you through what to expect during the procedure, and help you feel at ease.
We invite you to visit our office because we offer:
- Expertise in Cosmetic Dentistry & Oral Surgery | Dr. Martin has over 2000 post-residency hours.
- Customized Treatment Plans | Tailored solutions based on individual needs and clinical expertise.
- Patient-Centered Approach | Dedicated to achieving the best aesthetic and functional results.
- A State-of-the-Art Facility | Equipped with the latest technology for safe, effective procedures.
- Sedation Dentistry | Our office offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help you have the best possible experience.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’re ready to transform your smile with lip lowering or repositioning, contact James Martin DMD today! Schedule a consultation to explore your options and achieve the confident, beautiful smile you deserve.
About Dr. Martin
Dr. James Martin received his doctorate in dentistry from Boston University in 2011 and then completed a one-year residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He continues to travel all around the world to attend at least 200 hours a year of continuing education from the leaders in the field. Dr. Martin is also a Kois-trained dentist in order to provide top aesthetic and long-term oral health care. Dr. Martin blends innovation with personalized attention for a healthier, more radiant smile.
Darrell C.
“As a medical provider myself, I am quite impressed by the degree of care provided at this dental office. They have state of the art equipment and a beautiful clinic. Dr. Martin is incredibly thorough and the hygienist Marie has a delicate touch. Everyone at the front desk provided a warm welcome. And the soundtrack playing at the clinic was excellent If you want the best dental care, I recommend going here.”
Cheryl H.
“Dr Martin and the whole staff are amazing! I’ve been seeing Dr Martin for nearly a year now getting a lot of long overdue work done, and am currently nearing the end of the process of getting a couple implants. His work is amazing and top of the line! I have major anxiety in general, but excessive health (dental) anxiety and everyone here has been very supportive and understanding when I had many questions or just needed reassurance. Richelle, Kelly and Sabrina are the best as well and really make the whole experience positive.”
Judy P
“I don’t usually give reviews, but my experience with Dr. Martin and his staff have been excellent and beyond thorough. I’ve always had high anxiety with dental work. But, not this time with this office! I just got 2 crowns and a filling all in one sitting. The coolest thing is their oral sedation (which is free).
Didn’t feel a thing and just slept for a while after the procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety and are sensitive to pain, I strongly recommend James Martin DMD and their awesome team! They really do rock!”
Jeremy W.
“Words can hardly express my appreciation. Their facility is High tech. They are knowledgeable and compassionate with a great ability to communicate. They enjoy what they do and take pride in their work. Dr. Martin is a true artist of his time and blessing to his field.”
Kathy G.
“This is THE Dental office to go to for fantastic personal care!! Dr James Martin’s staff is as caring and professional as Dr Martin. Every step of the way we have been treated with kindness and respect. Every step of the way the procedure has been explained in detail so I understand why things are going forward & the precise way that they are set out. Thank you to Dr James Martin and team!!”
Sherry W.
“Dr. Martin is the most thorough dentist I have ever been to. He truly cares about his patients and the quality of his work is excellent. The staff is so friendly and efficient at their jobs. The technology they use is very modern and some of their equipment I have never seen before with any of my previous dental offices. I highly recommend James Martin DMD!”
Darby M.
“This is by far the best dentist office I have ever been too. I would recommend them to anyone, especially those with fears of going. I have never felt more welcomed or treated with as much respect.”
Rebecca D.
“I have a major phobia of the dentist. Which has made me not go when I’ve needed too. After my initial call, the office emailed and text to follow up to have me make an appointment. Dr. Martin was great. He talked me through the first step of work I would need, and he made me feel comfortable. I was put under for my first step of work. I got a text the next day to follow up on my care and Dr. Martin talked me through the concerns I had. All of the team was wonderful as well! I appreciate this office and what they do to help people get the care they need.”
Jesse G.
“I’m completely amazed by how wonderful the staff is here as well as Dr. Martin. I can honestly say that I have never been this comfortable at a dentist’s office in my life. Dr. Martin truly cares about his patients and is passionate about what he does. I have low sinuses and he was able to extract my tooth without perforating my sinus. That was a first for me. He listens to his patients. I will never go anywhere else for dental care. From the first point of contact with his office to my most recent follow-up appointment today, the care, the kindness, and the helpfulness have been genuine and consistent!”
Dan C.
“Best dentist I’ve ever had. Everyone on the team is friendly and very knowledgeable. They really make going to the dentist a relaxing experience instead of an anxious one.”
Lauren Y.
“This is the best dentist I’ve ever been to! Go here and you’ll be completely satisfied.”
Brian C.
“All the things I was scared about and all my concerns, Dr. Martin dissuaded me from feeling those things. I’ve never been to any location, like any business or doctor, that’s really cared as much as [this office] does and goes out of their way to make sure that I’m taken care of; that’s a big thing for me. Things that I’m able to do now that I wasn’t before, that’d be being happy and proud to take pictures. Since getting all this work done and completed, I’m actually able to eat all the things that I want now.”