Orthodontic Treatment for Protruding Mouths in Your 30s: An Honest Review of a Gangnam Orthodontic Clinic?

Whenever you saw a photo taken from the side,

were you bothered by your lips sticking out,

and found yourself deleting the photo without even realizing it?

If your side profile in the mirror feels unfamiliar,

this article may be helpful.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

We would like to share the story of protruding-mouth orthodontic treatment

from a female patient in her 30s

who visited Smile D Dental Clinic.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

The patient was a working woman in her 30s

who had been considering orthodontic treatment for a long time

because of facial asymmetry, temporomandibular joint issues, and a protruding mouth.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

While searching for reviews of protruding-mouth orthodontic treatment on Naver Blog,

she learned about Smile D Dental Clinic in Gangnam

and began treatment after visiting the clinic for an in-person consultation.

< Smile D Dental Clinic Location >

< Learn More About Smile D Dental Clinic >

📞 Smile D Dental Clinic
0507-1449-2087

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Protruding-Mouth Orthodontic Treatment in Your 30s: Detailed Diagnostic Process

After her visit, panoramic X-rays

and a lateral cephalometric X-ray were taken.

Based on the lateral profile,

when the E-line—the line connecting the forehead and the tip of the chin—was checked,

both the upper and lower lips

were found to protrude 4–5 mm

in front of the reference line.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

In addition to the protrusion of the teeth themselves,

the upper front teeth were also tilted toward the lips,

so a treatment plan was established

to move the teeth inward.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Why Was Extraction Orthodontics Chosen?

When the degree of protrusion is significant and there is insufficient space in the dental arch,

it can be difficult to move the teeth sufficiently backward with non-extraction treatment alone.

For this patient, the upper-left first premolar (tooth 24)

and upper-right first premolar (tooth 14),

for a total of two teeth, were extracted.

Extraction orthodontics was chosen to move the front teeth inward

using the space created by the extractions.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

​	Extraction Orthodontics	Non-Extraction Orthodontics
Suitable cases	Severe protrusion, insufficient space in the dental arch	Mild protrusion, sufficient space in the dental arch
Amount of tooth movement	Greater movement can be achieved	Limited
Treatment duration	May be relatively long	Relatively shorter
Side-profile improvement	Noticeable improvement can be expected	Modest improvement
Points to consider	Pain after extraction and space management are necessary	The possibility of relapse must be carefully considered

Treatment Plan and Orthodontic Appliances

Treatment began with S-Line orthodontic appliances.

To move the front teeth effectively backward,

six mini-screws (TADs) were placed

in the posterior regions of both the upper and lower jaws.

Mini-screws serve as anchorage,

helping ensure that the molars do not shift

and that only the front teeth move precisely.

The key to protruding-mouth orthodontic treatment is

adjusting the angle, or torque, while moving the front teeth backward.

Rather than simply pushing the teeth backward,

the direction of the roots must also be adjusted

to achieve a stable result.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Protruding-Mouth Orthodontic Treatment in Your 30s: What Is the Treatment Process?

Treatment Stage ① Appliance Placement and Initial Alignment (2–3 months)

The first step is to align the teeth evenly.

Treatment begins with a thin wire,

which is gradually replaced with thicker wires

to align the entire dental arch.

There may be mild pain and a feeling of something unfamiliar in the mouth at first,

but most people adjust within two weeks.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Treatment Stage ② Space Closure and Backward Movement (6–12 months)

This is the key stage in which the front teeth are pulled inward

using the space created by the extractions.

Mini-screws are used as anchorage

to move the front teeth intensively

without shifting the molars.

The changes in the side profile are most noticeable during this stage.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Treatment Stage ③ Final Detailed Adjustments and Appliance Removal

This is the final stage, in which the tooth positions and bite are adjusted precisely.

After confirming that the upper and lower teeth come together stably,

the appliances are removed

and a retainer is fitted.

Gangnam Dental Clinic Protruding-Mouth Orthodontic Treatment: Results

After approximately two years of protruding-mouth orthodontic treatment,

both the upper and lower lips moved inside the reference line based on the E-line,

and the side profile became naturally more balanced.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

This image was staged to aid understanding.

Even without consciously tightening her lips,

they could close naturally,

and as mouth breathing decreased,

her feeling of oral dryness also improved.

With the teeth aligned evenly, brushing became much easier,

and the condition of her gums also noticeably improved.

The process was a little difficult, but seeing the results, I really feel that choosing orthodontic treatment was the right decision!

If you have been putting off treatment for a long time because you are concerned about your side profile,

we recommend getting an accurate diagnosis at least once.

Whether extractions are needed, the treatment duration, and the type of appliance

vary depending on each person’s skeletal and dental condition,

so it is important to establish a plan suited to you through an in-person consultation.

Smile D Dental Clinic near Sinsa Station in Gangnam

has an orthodontic specialist on staff

and provides protruding-mouth orthodontic treatment

based on detailed consultations and the expertise of its chief director.

If you have the same concerns,

please feel free to contact us for a consultation anytime :)

< Smile D Dental Clinic Location >

< Learn More About Smile D Dental Clinic >

📞 Smile D Dental Clinic
0507-1449-2087