Lip factor
Lipfactor - a key element of interdisciplinary treatment at UNIDENT UNION®
A beautiful smile is not just a matter of perfectly aligned teeth or precise prosthetic restoration. It is also about the correct proportions of the face, the length of the lip, its volume and how many teeth we see in the smile. One of the most important elements we pay attention to in the UNIDENT UNION®, is Lipfactor - lip red factor, which has a huge impact on the final result of orthodontic and prosthetic treatment.
This is why management Lipfactor has become an integral part of our treatment philosophy. Below we describe how we approach it systemically.
Lipfactor in orthodontic treatment
Extrusion and orthodontic intrusion - controlling tooth exposure
When planning orthodontic treatment, deciding on the length and position of the incisors - both upper and lower - is crucial. It is not just about the aesthetics of the bite, but how the teeth will be seen in relation to the upper and lower lips.
By controlling the extrusion (lengthening) or intrusion (shortening) of incisors, we can consciously manage the number of teeth visible in the smile.
Lipfactor in orthodontic treatment therefore means conscious planning:
- What should be the elongation of the upper incisors so that they lift the lip naturally and are not obscured by excess lip redness.
- What should be the position of the lower incisors so that their visibility in the lower smile is harmonious and does not interfere with facial aesthetics.
Working with soft tissues already during treatment
In many cases, patients come to us with their lips already filled in. Sometimes the volume of the lips is too large, the lips are overloaded with hyaluronic acid preparation and cover a significant part of the teeth, preventing the desired smile effect.
Therefore, at the right moment of orthodontic treatment, we recommend dissolving the mouth with hyaluronidase. This allows us to remove excess material, expose the teeth and re-plan the shape of the mouth so that the end result is natural and harmonious.
Importantly - we do not leave this decision to the end of the treatment. We plan the moment of dissolution and possible subsequent lip augmentation when we still have the possibility to correct the length of the teeth.
Lipfactor in prosthetic treatment
Raising the height of the stapes and exposure of the teeth
In prosthetic treatment, the height of the stenosis and the length of the prosthetic crowns - especially the incisors - are key planning considerations. Here too Lipfactor plays an essential role.
Patients often come in with the aim of improving the aesthetics of their smile, but without proper management of the labial redness, the end result will not be fully satisfactory.
Therefore, in UNIDENT UNION®:
- During the reconstruction of the occlusal height, we analyse how many teeth are visible from under the upper lip at rest and in smiling.
- Based on visualisation (mock-ups, bonding), we determine together with the patient how much we can lengthen the incisors so that they are not obscured by the lips.
- If we see that the patient's lips have previously been filled unfavourably - we also recommend dissolving the hyaluronic acid with hyaluronidase to remove the excess tissue obstructing the teeth.
Sequence of procedures - key to a predictable outcome
Very often, patients expect that at the end of the treatment, "polishing" the lips will solve the aesthetic problem. Meanwhile, in many cases, it is the proper management of the lips during treatment - rather than afterwards - that allows a natural, full smile to be planned.
Therefore, we make decisions about dissolving or reshaping the lips before the prosthetic treatment is completed, when we still have full control over the length of the teeth and the relationship of the lip to the dentition.
Lipfactor vs plastic surgery - when a lip lift is needed
There are situations in which orthodontics, prosthetics or aesthetic medicine alone are unable to produce a satisfactory result. This applies to patients with an excessively long upper lip, which - regardless of the length of the teeth - obscures them in the smile.
In such cases in UNIDENT UNION® we recommend consulting a plastic surgeon and performing the procedure lip lift - surgical lip lift by removing excess skin under the nose. This procedure is often crucial for patients who want a full, youthful smile and are not seeing results despite orthodontic or prosthetic treatment.
Why is Lipfactor crucial?
Because only an interdisciplinary approach, combining orthodontic, prosthetic and aesthetic treatment with labial red management at every stage, can achieve a predictable and lasting result.
W UNIDENT UNION® management Lipfactor is standard - we do not treat soft tissue as an add-on at the end of treatment, but as an integral part of the whole process. This gives our patients not only a healthy bite and beautiful teeth, but also a naturally harmonious smile that enhances their facial features.
