What is the recommended management strategy for lip incompetence?

The management of lip incompetence, which involves the inability to maintain closed lips at rest, often necessitates addressing underlying skeletal or dental discrepancies that contribute to this condition. Correcting the face height can effectively help improve lip competence, as adjustments in vertical dimension can impact the resting position of the lips.

When correcting face height, strategies may include repositioning the maxilla or mandible through orthodontic or surgical means to achieve a more harmonious facial balance. Increasing the vertical dimension of occlusion can, in some cases, allow for better lip closure and subsequently enhance aesthetics and function.

The other approaches, while they may be relevant in specific scenarios, do not typically address the fundamental issues causing lip incompetence as directly as modifying face height does. For example, relying solely on oral appliances may manage symptoms but won't necessarily correct anatomical discrepancies. Maxillary expansion primarily targets issues related to dental arch width, which may not be directly related to lip competence. Mandibular surgery tends to be more invasive and is considered when more significant structural alterations are required, which might not be the initial management step for lip incompetence. Therefore, focusing on the correction of face height represents a comprehensive approach to improving lip function and achieving a favorable aesthetic outcome.