At the Beverly Hills practice of Dr. Rodney Raanan, we understand that a truly harmonious smile is a delicate balance of teeth, gums, and lips. For some individuals, an otherwise beautiful set of teeth can be overshadowed by an excessive display of gum tissue when they smile—often referred to as a “gummy smile.” While gum contouring addresses excess gum tissue, for cases where the upper lip lifts too high, revealing a significant amount of gum, lip repositioning offers a highly effective and long-lasting solution.
As a highly respected Prosthodontist with an exceptional eye for facial aesthetics and smile design, Dr. Raanan focuses on comprehensive solutions that integrate every element of your smile. He precisely diagnoses the root cause of your gummy smile, and for those best suited for lip repositioning in Beverly Hills, he provides or meticulously coordinates this specialized procedure. His expertise ensures that your lip repositioning is performed with the utmost precision and care, resulting in a naturally balanced smile that enhances your overall facial aesthetics and restores your utmost confidence.
Lip repositioning is a minor surgical procedure designed to correct a gummy smile by altering the position of the upper lip. It specifically targets cases where the upper lip lifts too high during smiling, exposing an excessive amount of gum tissue. The procedure works by strategically limiting the upward movement of the upper lip.
During the procedure, a small section of tissue is carefully removed from underneath the upper lip, where it connects to the gums. The lip is then sutured to a lower position, effectively shortening the distance the lip can travel upwards when you smile. This subtle but significant change allows for a more ideal tooth-to-gum ratio, revealing more of your teeth and creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. This procedure is distinct from gum contouring, as it focuses on the lip’s movement rather than directly reshaping the gum tissue itself, though they are often complementary treatments.
Patients often consider lip repositioning when their gummy smile is primarily due to a hypermobile (overly active) upper lip. This means that even with ideal tooth and gum proportions, the lip muscle pulls too far upwards, exposing too much gum. It is an excellent option for those who:
Choosing lip repositioning in Beverly Hills with Dr. Rodney Raanan offers several compelling and lasting benefits:
Your journey to a balanced smile with lip repositioning at our Beverly Hills practice is a carefully planned and executed process:
Dr. Rodney Raanan’s meticulous approach as a Prosthodontist ensures that your lip repositioning in Beverly Hills will lead to a naturally beautiful and confident smile that perfectly complements your unique facial harmony. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how we can help you achieve your ideal smile.
Lip repositioning is a minor surgical procedure designed to correct a “gummy smile” that is primarily caused by an overly active or hypermobile upper lip. It involves carefully altering the position of the upper lip by removing a small strip of tissue from underneath it, limiting how high the lip can lift when you smile. This reduces the amount of gum tissue visible, creating a more balanced and aesthetic smile.
While both procedures address a “gummy smile,” they target different causes. Gum contouring (gingivectomy) directly reshapes excess gum tissue around the teeth. Lip repositioning, on the other hand, focuses on controlling the movement of the upper lip itself. Often, for comprehensive results, these two procedures might be performed in conjunction, depending on the underlying cause of your gummy smile.
You might be a good candidate for lip repositioning if your gummy smile is predominantly due to a hypermobile upper lip that rises too high when you smile, revealing an excessive amount of gum. Dr. Raanan will conduct a thorough examination to determine the precise cause of your gummy smile and assess if lip repositioning is the most appropriate solution for your specific case.
The lip repositioning procedure is performed under local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort, so you will not feel any pain during the surgery. After the procedure, you might experience some mild swelling and discomfort, which can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and by following Dr. Raanan’s post-operative instructions.
The lip repositioning procedure is relatively quick, often taking less than an hour to complete. This makes it a convenient option for a significant smile transformation.
Initial healing from lip repositioning usually takes about 1-2 weeks, during which you might experience some swelling and mild soreness. Most patients can resume normal, light activities relatively quickly. Complete soft tissue healing can take a few weeks to a couple of months. Dr. Raanan will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Yes, the results of lip repositioning are generally considered permanent. The surgical alteration of the lip’s attachment helps to limit its upward movement on a long-term basis, providing a lasting solution for a gummy smile caused by a hypermobile lip.
Absolutely. Lip repositioning is often part of a comprehensive smile makeover, especially when a gummy smile is caused by multiple factors. It can be combined with gum contouring (to reshape the gum line), porcelain veneers (to optimize tooth shape and size), or even orthodontic treatment, to achieve the most balanced and aesthetic smile possible.
As a Prosthodontist with extensive expertise in smile aesthetics and comprehensive dental care, Dr. Raanan has a deep understanding of smile harmony. While he may perform this procedure himself, for some complex cases, he may collaborate with or refer you to a trusted periodontist or oral surgeon in Beverly Hills who specializes in such procedures, ensuring you receive the highest level of specialized care tailored to your unique needs.