Protruding Mouth (Bimaxillary Protrusion) Treatment in Seoul
Quick answer
A protruding mouth usually means both upper and lower front teeth are tipped or positioned forward, pushing the lips out; orthodontists call this bimaxillary protrusion. Lips may feel strained when closed. At Isu Yonsei Baro Orthodontics, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee uses CBCT and a 3D face scan to judge how far teeth can safely move back and how the profile may change.
What a protruding mouth is
Some people feel their mouth area looks pushed forward even when their teeth appear straight. Often both arches of front teeth are angled or positioned ahead of the jaw bone, carrying the lips with them. Clinically this is called bimaxillary protrusion. It is different from overjet, where only the upper teeth stick out, and from a forward-positioned jaw, which is a skeletal difference.
Common causes
- Inherited tooth and jaw proportions; it is relatively common in some East Asian and African populations
- Crowding resolved earlier by tipping teeth forward rather than creating space
- Tongue posture or habits that push teeth outward
- Relapse or drift after earlier treatment
Why it matters
For many people the concern is appearance: full lips, a convex profile or a chin that looks small because of the lips in front of it. Functionally, lips that cannot close easily at rest can lead to mouth breathing or a dry mouth. Teeth tipped far forward may also sit near the edge of the supporting bone, which matters when planning any movement.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis depends heavily on the face. The RAY Face 3D facial scanner records lip position relative to the nose and chin. A RAY Quantum 5D CT (CBCT) scan shows the angle of the incisors and, importantly, how thick the bone is behind and in front of the roots, since retracting teeth too far in thin bone can risk root or gum problems. Intraoral digital scans record the arches without impression trays.
Treatment options
- Premolar extractions with retraction: a common approach that creates space to move the front teeth back. Anchorage control is key to how far teeth move.
- Non-extraction retraction with temporary anchorage devices: in milder cases, molars can sometimes be moved back to create space. Dr. Lee has published on TSAD-based distalization systems in Seminars in Orthodontics; see non-extraction orthodontics.
- Appliance choice: metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces or clear aligners, depending on the movement required.
- Skeletal protrusion: where the jaws themselves are forward, surgical orthodontics may be discussed.
Typical timeline
Retracting both arches is a large movement, so comprehensive cases commonly take roughly 20–30 months. Retention afterward helps keep front teeth from drifting forward again. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after examination.
What to expect at Isu Yonsei Baro
The first visit takes about 60 minutes, with digital scans, X-rays or CT and facial photos. Dr. Lee explains in English the likely range of lip change, the bone limits shown on CBCT and the trade-offs between extraction and non-extraction plans. In Dr. Lee's practice, protrusion cases are planned from the face inward, reflecting her training in both orthodontics and fine art, so that lip support is reduced without making the profile look flat or aged. You receive a written estimate before deciding, and she treats you personally through retention.
At a glance
- Clinical term: bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion
- Common sign: lips that are hard to close without chin muscle strain
- Treatment often involves premolar extractions or anchorage-assisted retraction
- Typical comprehensive treatment: roughly 20–30 months (not a promise)
- Profile change depends on lip thickness, nose and chin, and varies by person
Your orthodontist
Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
- MOHW-certified orthodontic specialist
- PhD in Orthodontics, Yonsei University; Severance Hospital residency
- Member, Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
- 2026 AJO-DO peer reviewer
- Consults in fluent English and treats you herself, start to finish
Isu Station Exit 2 · 1-minute walk
Mon & Thu until 9 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM
+82 2-592-2080
Frequently asked questions
Will braces make my lips less protruding?
Moving front teeth back usually reduces lip prominence to some degree, but the amount differs between people. Thick lips change less than thin lips, and nose and chin shape affect how the profile looks overall. A 3D face scan and CBCT help set realistic expectations before treatment begins. Results vary.
Do I need teeth removed to fix a protruding mouth?
Many moderate to severe bimaxillary protrusion cases use premolar extractions to make room for retraction. Milder cases may be treated without extractions using temporary anchorage devices to move molars back. Which approach suits you depends on bone thickness, crowding and lip position, assessed during your examination.
Can clear aligners treat bimaxillary protrusion?
Aligners can treat some protrusion cases, including some extraction cases, when planned carefully with attachments and sometimes anchorage devices. Large retractions may be more predictable with braces. Dr. Lee explains which appliance is likely to achieve your goals after reviewing your scans.
Is there a risk in pulling teeth back too far?
Yes. If the bone around the front teeth is thin, aggressive retraction can increase the risk of root shortening or gum recession, and an over-flattened profile may look older. CBCT measurement of bone thickness helps set safe limits. These risks are explained before treatment so you can decide with full information.
Related reading
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after an in-person examination. See our editorial and medical review policy .
Talk to Dr. Lee in English
Send your concern and preferred dates. You'll get an examination, your options, a timeline and a written estimate before you decide anything.