Should I Have Lip Surgery Before or After Dental Work?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ll have braces to widen my smile arch and veneers to restore my teeth to it’s original condition. I also want my downturned mouth corners to be more straight, and lips a tad fuller, with an even oral fissure.

I know that braces can widen the mouth a little bit and make the lips a tad thicker due to the muscle stretching thanks to the wider dental arch (a nice effect for me), and must be done first.

My main concern is that I can’t find anything about what to do first after braces, if veneers before touching the lips, or the work on the lips first. All the information I’ve found is contradictory, with the surgeons saying “deal with the teeth first” and the dentists saying that they “follow the lip line” (which will be different after something like a corner lip lift or fat grafting) to design the smile. To add even more confusion, some cosmetic dentists say that veneers can make the lips a bit thicker if desired.

What should I get done first after braces: the veneers or the lips? I’ve attached you a picture of my lips next to someone who was similar lips to what I want to achieve, for reference.

A: Like building a house do the framework first and then worry about the exterior. Finish all dental work needed/desired and then see what the lips look like and go from there.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon