top of page

Full Smile vs. Narrow Smile

Updated: May 19, 2023


Full Smile palatal expander
Full Smile------Actual Patient

Do you know orthodontic expansion can achieve a natural Full Smile/Wide Smile?

(Full Smile vs. Narrow Smile)


What is Narrow Smile?

Narrow smile refers there are black/dark corners of your lips when you smile. In severe case, people look like they don’t have back teeth when they smile. On the controversy side, a Hollywood smile is a full smile.

What is right expansion?

A right expander can achieve true bony expansion resulting an attractive full smile. In orthodontics, there are different types of expanders to treat mild, moderate and severe narrow smiles. Usually, Hyrax expander is used for mild cases. Bonded Haas expander is used for moderate cases. MSE or orthognathic surgery are for severe cases.

What is the Best timing of doing expansion to achieve a full smile?

Age 7-13: is the best age to achieve most bony expansion with less teeth tipping

Age 14-16: could achieve some bony expansion with some teeth tipping (teeth tipping is the side effect)

Above age 16: hard to achieve expansion unless MSE, MARPE and orthognathic surgery can be considered.





The smile matches her face
Beautiful Full Smile--- actual patient

Don't see dark corners while smiling
A beautiful full smile---actual patient

singing high
A beautiful full smile--- actual patient


Class III high angle case
A beautiful full smile---actual patient

Palatal expander
A beautiful full smile---actual patient

Impacted canines
A beautiful full smile---actual patient

Class III case
A beautiful full smile---actual patient
























993 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page