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A smile
Yesterday, a student brought his parents in for a consultation on jaw surgery, primarily due to a protruding jaw and a backbite. During our discussion, I sensed that the parents were hesitant about proceeding with the surgery. I believed the child's condition wasn't severe enough to necessitate the procedure.
I began by outlining the surgical process, aiming to address any parental concerns. Then, the father spoke up, revealing that what bothered him most was the child's lips—they always seemed to pout, giving the impression of constant unhappiness or anger. He mentioned that if the surgery could improve this aspect, he would support it. I assured him that once we reviewed the imaging and simulations, we could assess how much the procedure might help.
I frequently encounter individuals, particularly young men, who are concerned about their appearance. While a longer chin doesn't bother them, the shape of their lips does. They feel their lower lip protrudes and looks pinched, as if they're perpetually angry, which subtly impacts social interactions. Through jaw surgery, we can rotate the upper and lower jaws clockwise to create a natural smile curve.
This adjustment allows the lower teeth to sit naturally behind the upper row, while the lower lips relax. In a neutral expression, the result resembles a genuine smile. This is one of my favorite collateral benefits of undergoing jaw surgery!