Having a beautiful smile means something different to different people. For some, having a beautiful smile means straight, symmetrical teeth while others simply want them whiter. When we evaluate a person’s smile in our office, not only do we look at the color, shape, size, and the way they fit together, but we also look at the frame around the smile… the lips! For those who feel that their lips are too thin or are not symmetrical, some simple lip enhancements can be done to make the smile even more esthetic. Both botulinum toxin derivatives (ie. Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport) and hyaluronic acid fillers (ie. Versa, Restylane, or Juvederm) can be used to enhance the shape of the lips.
At Cheek Dental, we use Xeomin around the borders of the lips to relax the muscles which allows the lips to roll outward slightly. This procedure is often called a “lip flip” and provides a naturally enhanced lip without adding any volume. Xeomin is a purified protein taken from botulinum toxin and is given in tiny doses to achieve this lip enhancing effect with results that last 3+ months.
Versa is our filler of choice for plumping the lips. Versa is made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar derivative naturally found in your body that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water…perfect for plumping the lips! The hyaluronic acid fillers in Versa can enhance the lips for 6-12 months and will naturally dissolve over time.
If you choose to enhance the frame of your smile with a lip flip, lip plumping, or both, a trained medical professional should listen to your wants and expectations to customize a treatment that is right for you… whether you want to simply regain some lost volume or to have those Instagram worthy pouters!
