Can Orthodontic Retraction Be Reversed?
In this video, orthodontist Bill Hang revisits a previously introduced patient—a young girl whose orthodontic issues stemmed from four extra teeth and a tongue‑thrust habit. After extracting the supernumerary teeth, the clinician describes how the tongue thrust contributed to severe lip‑muscle strain, a gummy smile, and a retracted maxilla. He contrasts before‑and‑after photographs taken less than a year apart, highlighting dramatic changes: the mentalis muscle, previously over‑working 27 hours a day to keep the lips together, relaxes; the orbicularis oris gains balanced function; the gummy smile diminishes; and the maxilla, once pulled down and back, returns to a more natural position. The presentation frames these outcomes as a rapid, desirable transformation for patients and their families.
