How Do the Buccal Corridors and Smile Line Change After Extraction Treatment for Protruding Teeth?｜An Orthodontic Case That Also Improved Lip Incompetence

Hello.

This is Apgujeong Yeonse Baro Dental Clinic, an orthodontic clinic in Apgujeong.

Today, through an actual case, we will introduce how the buccal corridors and smile line change after extraction treatment for protruding teeth, as well as what can be considered together to improve the overall quality of orthodontic treatment—not simply to straighten the teeth and move the mouth backward.

If you are considering orthodontic treatment for protruding teeth, you may have questions such as these:

“Just how much will my mouth move back with extraction treatment?”

“Will my lips become too thin or roll inward?”

“How will my gums or teeth show when I smile?”

“Can my smile also become more attractive after orthodontic treatment?”

The results of orthodontic treatment for protruding teeth are difficult to assess simply by looking at how far the front teeth have moved backward.

The position of the front teeth, lip closure, the relationship between the teeth and lips, the smile line, buccal corridors, and occlusion all need to be considered together to create a more harmonious result.

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In February last year, a patient in their 20s visited us for orthodontic treatment for protruding teeth.

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The teeth were relatively well aligned and the molar occlusion was good, but the front teeth were visibly flared.

Lip incompetence was also observed, although the lips could be closed.

Lip incompetence refers to a state in which the lips remain slightly apart, allowing the teeth to show when the lips are relaxed.

It naturally improves when the protrusion of the front teeth is corrected.

The treatment plan was to extract four premolars and clearly improve the protruding teeth.

The patient chose Clippy-C appliances, and orthodontic treatment began right away.

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This was the appearance seven months after treatment began.

The extraction spaces had just begun to close, and the front teeth were starting to move backward.

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This photograph was taken one year and one month after treatment began.

All the extraction spaces had closed, and mini-screws were being used to align the midline.

This is what is called the finishing stage.

Then, one year and seven months after treatment began, orthodontic treatment was finally completed and the appliances were removed.

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The midline was well aligned,

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and the occlusion was also good.

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The total treatment time was one year and seven months.

Although extraction treatment generally takes about two years, treatment for young patients up to their early 20s most commonly takes between one year and six months and two years.

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These are the frontal smile photographs before and after treatment.

Buccal corridors that were not originally present appeared inside the corners of the mouth on both sides.

Moderate buccal corridors that are not excessively large are important for smile aesthetics.

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Another element that cannot be left out of smile aesthetics is the smile line.

The smile line refers to the line connecting the edges of the upper teeth.

For a beautiful smile, it should be parallel to the lower lip.

The smile line, which had been too flat and straight compared with the lower lip, changed to a rounded shape parallel to the lower lip.

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Lip incompetence was resolved, so the lips can now close naturally even when relaxed.

With the goal of achieving “a naturally improved lip profile without going too far”

Looking at this patient’s appearance after treatment, rather than showing an excessive retrusion of the mouth or a significant reduction in lip volume, the overall lip profile became more refined as the protruding appearance improved naturally.

In particular, the curve along the side of the face from the nose to the upper lip became naturally connected, creating a more harmonious lip profile in relation to the face as a whole.

The important thing in extraction treatment for protruding teeth is not to move the teeth back as far as possible, but to find the appropriate position for the patient’s face and lips.

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Do you have protruding teeth but full lips?

With extraction treatment, your appearance will change within two years.

These lips help guard against the various concerns people have about changes in the lip profile after orthodontic treatment, such as a lengthened philtrum, inward-rolling lips, and thinner lips.

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This is a lip profile that became more attractive without going too far.

The curve descending from the nose to the upper lip is especially beautiful, isn’t it?

If you are considering extraction treatment for protruding teeth

Many people considering orthodontic treatment for protruding teeth think, “I hope that not only my teeth become straight, but that my smile and lip profile also change naturally.”

The results of orthodontic treatment are difficult to evaluate simply by whether the teeth have become straight or how far the mouth has moved backward.

Protruding teeth, lip incompetence, occlusion, the smile line, buccal corridors, lip shape, and the balance of the entire face all need to be considered together.

In this case, extraction treatment improved the protrusion of the front teeth and lip incompetence, while the smile line and buccal corridors that contribute to the smile were also assessed during the finishing stage of treatment.

As a result, the treatment aimed to create a more harmonious smile by reducing the protruding appearance without making excessive changes and maintaining the lips naturally.

If you are considering extraction treatment for protruding teeth, rather than simply confirming whether extractions are needed, it is advisable to have a thorough consultation about not only tooth alignment and occlusion, but also how your lip profile and smile may change before deciding on a treatment plan.