Among the many parameters that define lip attractiveness, the philtrum length—the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip—has received increasing attention in both clinical and aesthetic contexts.
With the growing popularity of procedures such as the bullhorn lip lift, understanding how philtrum length interacts with upper lip height and the visibility of maxillary incisors has become essential.
This article, Revealing the Perfect Smile: How Philtrum Length Shapes Lip Beauty (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025), explores how subtle variations in philtrum length and upper lip proportions impact the perception of beauty across different ethnic backgrounds.
Using AI-generated images of female models representing African, Asian, Caucasian, Latina, and Middle Eastern features, the researchers systematically adjusted the philtrum length, vermilion height, and maxillary incisor display.
These images were evaluated in an online survey by 570 participants who rated the attractiveness of each variation.
The results highlight important cultural nuances.
► DENTAL BOOK: A Smile Where There Was None - Christian Yaste (2024)
While a moderate incisor show was generally preferred, the precise degree varied across ethnic representations.
African and Asian models were rated most attractive with about 1 mm of visible incisor, whereas Caucasian and Latina models scored higher with approximately 0.5 mm exposure.
Interestingly, for Middle Eastern models, the most attractive outcome involved no visible incisors at rest.
Across all groups, excessive incisor exposure was consistently rated as less appealing.
These findings reinforce the idea that beauty is not universal but rather shaped by cultural and ethnic expectations.
For clinicians, this means that procedures like lip lifts should not follow rigid measurements but instead take into account the patient’s ethnic background, cultural ideals, and individual preferences.
A balanced approach—shortening the philtrum enough to create harmony while avoiding exaggerated dental exposure—may provide the most natural and satisfying results.
By examining the interplay of philtrum length, lip proportion, and incisor visibility, the study offers valuable guidance for aesthetic and dental professionals seeking to deliver personalized, culturally sensitive treatments.
👉 We invite the international dental and aesthetic community to READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN PDF for a deeper understanding of the methodology, image sets, and complete data that can inform treatment planning and clinical decision-making.
