Glossary

The lip line is an important consideration for dental implantology. There are two lip lines — upper and lower. The lip line frames the anterior teeth that supports the lips, and is plays a significant role in the aesthetics of a patient’s smile. Ideally, a surgeon will be able to create an implant plan that reconciles lip and teeth positioning harmoniously. Prior to recommending dental implants, a dentist will evaluate the lip line and where it currently sits on the patient’s face in relation to their teeth and other facial structures. Lip lines are influenced by a variety of factors, including the shape of a patient’s lips and whether they are thin or full, the width and dimension of the oral cavity, and how visible supporting teeth are. It’s also important for a dental implant surgeon to verify that there is enough healthy ginvigal tissue to provide support.

During the aging process, changes occur to the face and mouth that can result in a less pleasing aesthetic appearance for patients. The upper lip begins to thin out and elongate, which results in an “aged” look when smiling. Many people turn to fillers to rectify this problem, however, they tend to accelerate the effects of aging. A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is performed to shorten the area between the nose and the upper lip, called the upper philtrum. When the upper lip is shortened, the teeth are shown more when a patient smiles or speaks and helps restore a healthy-looking appearance. A lip lift has a significant impact on cosmetic dentistry, from how many teeth show when speaking or smiling to how a person’s “V” and “F” sounds come across. A lip lift is a relatively simple outpatient surgical procedure that results in little to no scarring.