[Labial expansion]

Abstract

Lip expansion is an old procedure used by some ethnic groups to follow traditions of their ancestry. Medically speaking since the beginning of the XIXth century, various devices have been designed for distending the angles of the mouth in order to recreate the normal width of the mouth aperture. In the recent years, thanks to the development and refinements of new flaps, expanding the lips is rarely necessary. In proper indications however, specially in the vermillon border, lip expansion remains a good indication.