Protrusive Mouth: Do You Have to Have Surgery? Cases That Can Be Treated with Orthodontics

"My mouth sticks out, so photos are always stressful."

"People ask me if I’m angry."

More than half of the people who come for consultations because of protrusive mouth think that ‘there is no answer except surgery.’ But in reality, many cases can be improved sufficiently with orthodontic treatment alone.

What exactly does protrusive mouth mean?

• It is not just the lips sticking out

• ✔ Tooth position

• ✔ Gums (alveolar bone)

• ✔ Jawbone structure

• A problem involving a combination of these three factors

Therefore, just because the mouth looks protruded does not mean surgery is always necessary.

The following types of protrusive mouth can be resolved with orthodontics alone.

• When the front teeth are tilted forward

• When the lips appear pushed out due to lack of space

• When the gum and lip tension is high while smiling

✔ Both extraction orthodontics / non-extraction orthodontics are possible

✔ Using mini-screws, it can be moved backward by utilizing the wisdom tooth space.

✔ Lip protrusion is also reduced together

Then when is surgery necessary?

• When the jawbone itself is excessively forward

• When there is a skeletal issue with the lower jaw / upper jaw in terms of facial proportions

• When there is a clear limit to the lip position with orthodontics alone

In these cases, orthodontic treatment combined with surgery, such as protrusive mouth surgery, is selected.

This time, let me show you a case.

The left side is the before, and the right side is the after.

This was a case treated with extraction of 4 premolars, and you can see that the mouth was pulled back a lot, and the appearance that looked like a weak chin was also improved further.

At this time, lip tension was also reduced, so it was also confirmed that closing the mouth became more comfortable.

The patient was satisfied, and it was also a rewarding case for me.

In general, protrusive mouth is a basic part of dental orthodontic treatment. However, just as it is most difficult to stay faithful to the basics, protrusive mouth also requires an accurate diagnosis, deciding how much to move it back, communication with the patient, and a precise diagnosis. If you are worried about protrusive mouth, visit Smileview Dental Clinic at Sinnonhyeon Station, and we will provide a detailed consultation.

Thank you. ​