LipStaT
LipStaT lip stabilization in Downtown Brooklyn
LipStaT, the lip stabilization technique, is a minimally invasive procedure that treats a gummy smile caused by a hypermobile upper lip. Instead of reshaping gum and bone, a small amount of tissue inside the upper lip is repositioned so the lip lifts less when you smile, showing less gum. It is done in a single visit under local anesthesia and requires no bone surgery.
Excess gum display has more than one cause. LipStaT is the right answer when the gum position is normal and the lip simply moves too far, which is why the diagnosis comes before the procedure.
What is LipStaT?
In a hypermobile lip, the muscles that raise the upper lip pull it higher than average when you smile, exposing several millimetres of gum above the teeth. The teeth and gums themselves may be perfectly proportioned.
LipStaT limits that excursion. Through an incision hidden inside the lip, a measured strip of tissue is removed and the lip is secured at a new resting range. There is no external scar and no change to the gums or bone.
Who is a candidate?
Gum shows because the lip lifts too far
Measured lip excursion between rest and full smile is the deciding factor, taken with photographs and video at the consultation.
Gum and tooth proportions are already correct
If the tooth length and gum level are normal, reshaping them would be the wrong procedure.
You want to avoid bone surgery
LipStaT has a shorter recovery than crown lengthening and does not touch bone.
Combination cases
Some patients have both a hypermobile lip and low gum position. Those are treated in stages, gum first, then the lip if needed.
Not a candidate
Excess gum display caused by vertical jaw growth is a skeletal issue, and we will refer you rather than perform a procedure that cannot deliver.
How the procedure is performed here
01
Diagnosis and measurement
Lip excursion, tooth proportions, and gum level are recorded with photographs and video so the cause is documented rather than assumed.
02
The procedure
Local anesthesia, an incision inside the upper lip, a measured amount of tissue removed, and fine sutures placed. Typically about an hour.
03
First week
Swelling and tightness are expected for several days. Sutures are removed or dissolve at about one to two weeks.
04
Settling
The final smile is assessed at six to eight weeks once swelling has fully resolved and the lip has adapted.
Recovery and what to expect
Expect visible swelling of the upper lip for roughly three to five days and a tight sensation when smiling for a couple of weeks. Discomfort is generally mild and managed with over-the-counter medication and cold compresses.
Soft food for the first few days, no aggressive lip stretching, and no external scar because the incision is entirely inside the lip.
You leave with written instructions and both doctors' cell numbers.
Why see a periodontist for LipStaT
LipStaT is a technique-sensitive procedure: too little tissue removed and nothing changes, too much and lip movement looks unnatural. Both doctors completed three-year surgical residencies in periodontics at NYU, are board certified, and teach in the specialty.
Just as important is the diagnosis. A practice that offers both LipStaT and crown lengthening has no reason to push you toward the more invasive one.
Alternatives we discuss
Botulinum toxin can temporarily reduce lip elevation and is a reasonable way to preview the effect, but it must be repeated every few months. Crown lengthening addresses gum position rather than lip mobility. For skeletal causes, orthodontics or orthognathic surgery is the honest answer.
Questions patients ask
LipStaT questions
- Is LipStaT permanent?
- It is intended as a long-term result. A degree of relapse in lip mobility can occur over the years, and some patients choose a minor revision later.
- Will there be a visible scar?
- No. The incision is entirely inside the upper lip.
- How is LipStaT different from a gum lift?
- A gum lift reshapes gum and bone. LipStaT changes how far the lip lifts. Which one is right depends on the measured cause of your gum display.
- How long is the recovery?
- Noticeable lip swelling for about three to five days, tightness for a week or two, and the final result assessed at six to eight weeks.
- Will my smile look unnatural?
- The amount of tissue removed is calculated from your measurements to reduce gum display while preserving normal movement. That calculation is the whole procedure.
- Can LipStaT be combined with a gum lift?
- Yes, when both a low gum line and a hypermobile lip contribute. We usually treat the gum first and reassess before deciding on the lip.
- Does insurance cover LipStaT?
- It is generally considered cosmetic, so most plans do not cover it. You receive the fee in writing up front and CareCredit financing is available.
- Can I try Botox first to see the effect?
- Many patients do, and it is a reasonable temporary preview. It is not a substitute if you want a lasting result.
Related
Show too much gum when you smile?
Request a consultation. We will measure the cause first, then tell you whether LipStaT, a gum lift, or neither is the right procedure.