Q. hi there, when i smile i show lots of gum. my top lip seems to lift to far up. i’ve looked on the net and come across hypermobile high line lip surgery but cant find anywhere that does it. is it a cosmetic dentist i need as they don’t seem to know what im talking about they keep saying gum contouring but its not that!!! can you point me in the right direction and any idea on price. please help
A. Dear T,
The person you want to speak to is a dentist called Peter Fairbairn. He has lectured on this subject in the UK and is the only dentist I know of who carries out this procedure. This procedure was first performed in the 1970’s so its not a new procedure as such. Have a look at his web site – scarsdaledental.co.uk .
He gives an estimate of £800 for lip repositioning but this may have changed since the web site was edited.
Hope this helps and please mention my name to Peter – always good to know who is supporting you.
Dr Julian Caplan BDS
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Related Questions
Tags: hypermobile lip surgery
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thank you dr caplan i have emailed peter and waiting to hear back. but checking his website it looks positive. thanks again. T
Dear Dr Caplan,
your answer to T’s question has helped me realizing the direction which I should be taking to get rid of my gummy smile, so thank you for that.
However, what worries me in your answer is this part “is the only dentist I know of who carries out this procedure”.
I was hoping to find an expert in the South East Europe region, or in USA…
could you please let me know if this procedure is performed (to your knowledge) in these areas and how complicated is it, at all? I read somewhere that it is a “standard procedure” performed under local anesthesia, but then I read your answer and it seems as though not many dentists perform it.
best regards,
S
dear s. the research i did into it was mainly on US sites so i think the procedure is more commonly done in the US than in the uk. i just googled gummy smile!!! read loads of stuff then it gave me the term hypermobile lip surgery and than i googled that. found loads of stuff in US but nothing in england which then led me to leave comment on here. from info ive had they assess whether it should be hypermobile lip surgery or gum contouring. im so glad something can be done. im sure dr caplan may have more info but thought i’d let you know where i found info. ive spoken to friends that have the same problem and they were amazed that somthing could be done…i think peter may well have an influx of people!!!!! if i can get it done will let you know how it goes. T
HI tracey please join our forums and write about your experience in the online journals as this will help others in a smilar situation that have a high lipline or are considering this type of treatment.
Admin
Dear T and Admin,
I already contacted dr Peter Fairbairn and I can say he is extremely kind and helpful! he will try to help me find dentists in my region and if it is commonly performed in US, then great since I plan to visit relatives there soon.
@ T: I did the same thing after posting a comment here and got same results but I have no results for SEE region.
@ admin: I will join the forums,
and thank you both.
best
S
Tracey,
I was really interested to read your comments on this forum and see that you were considering going to see Dr Peter Fairbairn. I went to see him about a year ago but then not knowing anyone else who had had the procedure I got quite nervous about it as wasn’t sure of the long term effects. I would be really grateful if you could add any further comments to the forum if you end up going ahead with the procedure as I would love to hear your feedback.
Thank you.
Louise
I live in the UK and I just had my gummy smile fixed in the USA in Los Angeles, CA. After doing months of research, including this website, I selected Dr. Farnoosh a periodontist in Los Angeles. I am sharing his name with everyone on this forum because he is an excellent doctor and now I am proud to smile. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking to do this procedure from Europe(or anywhere). The whole trip to Los Angeles including the procedure only took 3 days. It was worth it. I really believe changing my smile so that it was not so gummy changed my life, I got a new job and boyfriend since I did the procedure 6 months ago — of course it wasnt all because of this procedure but it did really help my confidence.
im going to dr fairburn down in london on 16th march….i cant wait. will let you know how it goes. T
I went to see Dr Peter Fairbairn last year in June. He was able to do the lip repositioning surgery on me and the results were great. My case was very severe and have botox injections every 6 months to assist the look I want, even further. He is very kind and a great dentist, who puts you at ease every step of the way.
I just also wanted to add that the procedure was extremly easy. I just had the area numbed as I felt completly at ease with him doing the procedure without being knocked out, although I dread the dentist and am normally very tense. The hardest part was the not smiling for 2 weeks after. I never thought I did smile so much with having a gummy smile and always tried my best not to. It is so important that you restrain lip movement at this crucial time. Botox before the procedure would be well worth it if the lip moves greatly. The stitches coming out wasnt the best feeling in the world but that was done in my home town by my own dentist and hes got the touch of a demented midwife!! All in all the best thing ive had done ever. Sorry this is long but hope it helps anyone with worries.
Hey Kirsty,
your comment is not long, on the contrary, it is very useful. I am planning to move to US in May, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a doctor in Seattle perhaps, so I can have the surgery there. I got some great recommendations for the lip repositioning procedure for a dentist in Belgrade, as well, from Dr Fairbairn (if anyone needs it).
Hey kirsty we may be adding a new informative guide to lip repositioning surgery on this website so if you would like to write and account of your experience or share some before and after photos that would be great
Prav
well…ive had it done…went to see dr fairburn on monday he is lovely, very calming, the only dentist i have ever been to where i actually felt okay. i was asleep for the whole thing and now have stiches in my mouth with strict instructions not to smile which is harder than you think!!!!! ive had a little pain particularly on one side but nothing unbearable, two ibuprofen did the trick. cant wait to get the stiches out and see what it looks like!!!! fingers crossed i will actually smile with confidence at my wedding!!!!
Hi does anyone know who does BOTOX in the Lancaster, Preston area? Im having real trouble finding someone who will do the botox injections under my nose to help with the mobile lip. Anyone I have spoken to is not comfortable to do it in that area although I have had it done 3 times before. Any recomendations would be much appreciated as I am needing it doing asap as I have a christening a week on Sunday and wanted it doing for then.
Amanda — thanks for recommending Dr. Farnoosh for fixing my gummy smile. I read your post and since I travel a lot between Surrey and LA on my recent trip to LA I saw Dr Farnoosh. He did a super job on fixing my gummy smile with lip repositioning. We emailed before and then the whole appointment was done in 2 hours. It is still healing but it looks very promising now that the swelling is going down…im so excittteeeeddddd!!! I finally can smile and not be ashamed! Thanks.
If anyone else is looking for a great gummy smile doctor in LA — this guy is nice and compassionate and the price is reasonable.
Hi Kirsty I know that london bridge dental practice to hypermobile lip surgery http://www.lbdp.co.uk and i think they also offer botox treatments and there is a clinic in Manchester called kissdental – http://www.kissdental.co.uk that does botox treatments it may be worth giving them a try if they are closer to you that treking down to surrey
Amanda and Estaeban, would you mind sharing with us the price of the procedure at Dr Farnoosh? I would really like to know, since I need to plan ahead. hope the admin wont mind…
Hello. Ive been to Dr Fairburn on the 17th April and had my lip repositioning. I now have 20 stitches but am so excited to see the final result. I also had botox 10 days before. This is to help with the healing process. I had a bit of pain on first couple of days, but nothing really to moan about. I have trhee children and the hardest part is not smiling, this is sooooooooooooooo hard .
glad youve had it done ,,,my stitches are out….i’l warn you its a bit uncomfortable nothing unbearable but it made my eyes water!!!! you have to persevere with the not smiling after the stitches come out for a little while which is so difficult as all i wanted to do was smile it still feels a little weird as it feels like ive got something stuck under my top lip….but im so pleased with the results….and so glad i got it done ….ive hated my smile for years and didnt actually realise anything could be done….wish i’d had it years ago!!!!!
now my gummy smile has gone im off to get some veneers to really makeover my smile
Just wanted to say how great it is to here that Peter has been able to help so many people. I was the same and was so unhappy with my smile. After so much stick at school when I was younger and seeing many people to try and help, I thought nothing could be done and had almost given up hope. I agree, the stitches coming out isnt pleasent and it does encourage you to get your teeth sorted. Before I wasnt that bothered about wonky teeth as I hated my mouth and smiling anyway, but now I can, I am waiting for my inman aligner putting in next week and cant wait for the results.
Good luck to everyone and enjoy your new smiles.
Had my stitches out a week ago and now the time has come to smile!! I think i have forgotten how to, I seem to be holding my lip down still, i am sure this will get better over the next few days, once i relax. I have to say although I hated my gummy smile, it was my smile for 33 yrs and I feel a bit strange without it. But I am so glad I had it done, cant believe its all over. Thing is people keep saying they had never noticed my gummy smile !!!!!! But I always felt it was all people looked at.
Guys,
can anyone tell me how much did it cost? at least approximately. so I can plan ahead if it’s a big sum.
also, for those who had it done in the States, do you know a doctor in Seattle who is good at lip repositioning?
someone? anyone? pleeeeaase
I have read all the answers but want to know how long the healing time takes???
Hi to all,
i am glad to see people who have the same problem like me. And congratulations to all, who has gotten rid of their gummy smile.
I had a jaw surgery already, but my gummy smile is still very visible. I want my gummy smile to be fixed and i have contacted Dr. Peter F., who asked me to send him my photos to see if i am a candidate for lip repositioning. I cant wait to hear his respond.
I have question to all who had a lip repositioning
1) Is lip repositioning (Dr. Peter F.) the same like lip lowering (Dr. Farnoosh)?
2) I have a hugh distance between my upper lip and my nose. Would lip repositioning
make this distance look longer?
3) have anyone seen pics of the procedure in the internet in order to see how it is done?
Thanks to all of you
can anyone tell me about how much it will roughly cost? i really would like to get this procedure done but i need to start saving..
Hi,
Ive read all your comments and am seriously considering this procedure. I have contacted lbdp for a consultation. My top lip is very high and although I’ve gotten used to it as I’ve got older I hate seeing photo’s of myself laughing. My boyfriend says he loves my smile but I feel like this surgery could help my confidence greatly. Saying that, I still want to look like me- so my question (which may sound abit silly) is to those people who have already had the surgery- When you smile is it still your smile or is it completely different? If that makes any sense?!
Thanks
Hi guys, Im also interested in the lip repositioning in the uk, ive hated smiling ever since i can remember and i cant believe i didnt know this procedure existed until now! does anyone know how long it takes to get an appointment? and if i do get the procedure will i look ok to get the train back home?
Hi Sarah/everyone,
I have just been reading all the threads on lip repositioning. I’m considering getting the procedure done and like all of you am really concious of my gummy smile. Sarah mentioned in one of her threads that she had got botox ten days before getting the procedure done. Does anyone know if this significantly speeds up the healing process?
Hi Sam,
Sorry in that last message I also meant to ask if you have arranged to get the procedure done yet and if so where? I’ve got loads of varying degrees of information from the net with some impressive photos of those who have had the procedure done but like every surgery I’m anxious of any pitfalls that may occur also. The procedure seems to be very popular in the USA but I only know of the Scarsdale Clinic in London performing the procedure.
Hi everyone,
I’ve been in touch with Dr Fairbairn and am hoping to have lip repositioning surgery in January (I wish I could get it done before then but unfortunately I can’t). He has suggested I have botox two weeks before and I wondered if anyone could suggest a place in the North West that does this? I’ve searched on the internet to no avail and ideally want to go to someone on a recommendation rather than just taking pot luck!
C
Kissdental is a practice in the Northwest that i believe offers botox treatments it may be worth giving them a try
A, I share your concern as I’m keen to still look like ‘myself’, my brother-in-law thinks I should leave well alone because my smile is a part of me, but I also hate seeing pictures of myself and feel it would boost my confidence when there’s a camera around. If I ever got married I would hate to see that gummy smile on my photos! I too would love to see some before/after photos which show the whole face, rather than just the mouth area – I assume they do this to protect the patient’s identity.
However, and to respond to Aria also, I have been in touch with Dr Fairbairn and he advised that the botox greatly increases the healing process – he’s asked me to have it done 2 weeks before. I think that makes sense, if you can’t move your top lip as much there’s less chance of rupturing the stitches. I think another benefit is that you’ll get a good idea of how your smile will look after the surgery. If you have the botox done and hate your smile then you have the option of not going ahead with the surgery and just waiting for the botox to wear off. Dr Fairbairn said if I find a local botox practitioner, preferably a doctor, he will tell them how much botox he wants then to inject and where.
C
Hi I had the procudure done last year but did not have the botox before hand. I would reccomend this to anyone, as my lip line raised really high. The main benifit is it stops the pulling of the stitches as its alot harder than you think not to smile. The procudure still worked but has streched back slightly and so have botox every 6 months to keep the lip down until I can get back to see Dr Fairbairn.
I found that afer the 2 weeks and my stitches were out that was the end of the healing process with plenty of swilling your mouth with salt water to minimise infection.
As for anyone who is not sure what they will look like after, I too had a boyfriend who thought I was daft and there was nothing wrong with me. For me though, I had hated my smile so much, for nearly all of my life, I didnt care what anyone thought, I was getting it done!! My smile has altered and thats what I wanted but not in a bad way. I still look like me but without the gum.
I go to a dentist in Preston North West called Steve Hennessy, the dentists @ Watling Street Rd. He spoke to Dr Fairbairn before the botox was injected as I had 40 uints injected which is quite a high dose. He charged £140 which was the cheapest I had found in this area.
Hope this helps and good luck to anyone having it done. Its worth it!!!
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
I have just had this procedure done in the last few days and am due to get the stitches out in just under two weeks or so. I didnt get the botox beforehand and was just wondering what other advice you could offer. I’m finding eating quite difficult as I’m really concious of not stretching my jaw around too much in case I pull at the stitches. How many stitches did you get altogether? I’m rinising my mouth with a salt water rinse a few times a day also but three days on the swelling is still quite high. How long did it take for your swelling to go down can you remember?
Aria.
Hi Aria, I found sticking to soups worked well for me, good for my waistline too!! I think I had around 15 stitches in all and the swelling went down after a week, but then came back when the stitches came out. I was still quite careful for a few days after that just because it was tender.
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty, Many thanks for your reply. I only got the surgery done on Tuesday last and on Wednesday evening there was a huge amount of swelling and I got really concerned and was starting to panic now to be honest. However I slept last night propped up on pillows and that seems to have made a big difference as most of the swelling has subsided and my lips look normal again. I got 22 stitches in all and from the tightness under my nose and above my two central incisors I’m guessing thats where most of the stitches are. As you advised Kirsty I’ll be extra careful when the stitches come out and will keep on doing the salt rinses. Were you able to brush your teeth up around near the top gumline whilst you still had the stitches in? I’m trying to keep away from the area just in case I catch one of the stitches with the side of the toothbrush and start the gum and lip bleeding.
Aria.
For the attention of Sam:
Hi Sam,
I got this surgery done on Tuesday last. Healing time takes about 4 weeks in all. Stitches come out after two weeks and then you still have to be careful not to smile for a further two weeks. The not smiling part I’m finding difficult, I’ve a persian kitten and trying not to smile at her is really difficult. Hope this helps.
Aria.
Hi all. Im now over 6 months after surgery and have found in last couple of weeks now botox has worn off that lip line has lifted a lot. its still not as bad as it was but i have sent photos to Dr fairbairn for his opinion . Dont like the thought of having it re-touched but will do so if have to. I will wait and see what he says. I have heard of people having to have it redone again.
Hi Aria,
I used one of those flight neck pillows for about 4 weeks to make sure I stayed sleeping on my back. I had real trouble cleaning my teeth though, as I was so scared of brushing too high and catching them.
Hi Sarah,
I didnt have the botox before my op and am planning to have it done again with as soon as I can get down to London. There is still a great improvment, hope it goes well for you.
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
Hope you are well.
I meant to also ask you on the last email how did you find smiling after the stitches had been out for the necessary two weeks. Did you find that there was a slight pinching sensation under your lip when you eventually smiled? I got my 22 stitches out last Thursday so I’ve another week to go before I can smile but I find that when eating if I have to stretch a little bit more then I get a pinching sensation up under the lip. The upper lip still feels tight at the left and right side but not so much now under my nose. I found that when the stitches were in place under my nose could be really tender. I appreciate any advice you could offer as I don’t know of anybody local to me that had the procedure done.
Kind regards,
Aria.