Subtle changes to your smile after dental work or orthodontic treatment are more common than many people realize. While straightening teeth or correcting bite alignment can dramatically improve oral health, these treatments can sometimes reveal—or create—lip asymmetry that wasn’t noticeable before. For patients who feel their lips look uneven after braces, Invisalign, crowns, or other dental procedures, lip filler can be a highly effective, non-surgical solution.
At Leong Aesthetics, double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul Leong approaches lip filler with a deep understanding of facial anatomy, movement, and balance. His philosophy centers on precision and natural-looking correction, especially in nuanced cases like post-dental asymmetry.
In this blog, we’ll explore why lip asymmetry can occur after dental work, how lip fillers can help, and what to expect from treatment.
Why Can Dental Work or Braces Affect Lip Symmetry?
Your lips don’t exist in isolation—they’re supported by teeth, bone, muscle, and soft tissue. When dental structures change, the surrounding soft tissue often adapts in subtle but visible ways.
Common reasons lip asymmetry may appear after dental treatment include:
- Changes in tooth position: Braces or aligners shift teeth and alter how the lips rest against them, sometimes changing lip projection on one side.
- Bite correction: Adjustments to overbite or underbite can affect muscle tension around the mouth, leading to uneven movement.
- Muscle memory: Facial muscles may continue compensating for an old bite pattern even after orthodontic correction.
- Dental restorations: Crowns, implants, or bridges can subtly alter lip support on one side of the mouth.
- Pre-existing asymmetry: Dental work may simply make an existing imbalance more noticeable by improving overall alignment.
It’s important to note that mild asymmetry is completely normal. However, when the imbalance feels distracting or affects confidence, aesthetic correction may be worth exploring.
How Lip Fillers Can Correct Asymmetry
Hyaluronic acid (HA)–based lip fillers are uniquely suited for correcting asymmetry because they allow for precise, customizable placement. Rather than adding uniform volume, treatment is tailored to restore balance between the left and right sides of the lips.
Lip fillers can help by:
- Enhancing volume selectively on the thinner or less supported side
- Improving contour and definition along the lip border
- Supporting weakened areas affected by changes in dental structure
- Balancing movement during smiling and speaking
- Restoring harmony between the lips and surrounding facial features
At Leong Aesthetics, Dr. Leong emphasizes conservative correction. The goal is not to “overfill,” but to subtly guide the lips back into balance while preserving natural movement and expression.
Treatment Approach: Precision Matters
Correcting asymmetry requires more than injecting filler evenly. It demands a detailed assessment of facial dynamics at rest and in motion.
During your consultation, Dr. Leong will evaluate:
- Lip shape and volume from multiple angles
- How the lips move during speech and smiling
- Underlying dental and skeletal support
- Muscle pull patterns around the mouth
- The relationship between the lips, chin, and jaw
Using this information, filler is placed strategically—often in very small amounts—to fine-tune symmetry. In some cases, asymmetry may also involve muscle imbalance, and neuromodulators such as Botox may be recommended as a complementary treatment.
What Types of Fillers Are Typically Used?
For asymmetry correction, product choice is especially important. Fillers commonly used include:
- Restylane Kysse: Designed for flexibility and natural movement
- RHA fillers: Adapt well to dynamic facial expressions
- Juvéderm Volbella or Ultra: Useful for subtle shaping and border refinement
The specific product and technique will depend on your anatomy, goals, and degree of asymmetry.
What to Expect After Treatment
Lip filler for asymmetry is performed in-office and typically takes less than 30 minutes. Mild swelling or tenderness is common and usually resolves within a few days. Because asymmetry can be more noticeable during the healing phase, final results are best assessed after swelling subsides—usually within one to two weeks.
Results are temporary but long-lasting, typically ranging from six to 12 months, depending on the product used and individual metabolism.
A Balanced Smile Starts With Expertise
Lip asymmetry after dental work can be frustrating, especially when you’ve invested time and effort into improving your smile. With an experienced, physician-led approach, lip filler can restore balance in a way that looks refined, natural, and uniquely yours.
If you’ve noticed uneven lips following braces or dental procedures, a personalized consultation at Leong Aesthetics can help determine whether lip filler is the right solution for you.
Sources Cited
Cleveland Clinic - Dermal Fillers
National Library of Medicine (PubMed) – Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Facial Aesthetics