Successful Gummy Smile Repair

After consulting several dentists, our New Mexico patient chose care at the Jacobs Smile Center. She felt that the Reversible Lip Repositioning procedure met her needs best, because she was able to visualize her result before making the final decision to have a permanent fix.

The before and after photos above are taken immediately after the surgical procedure which took about 45 minutes. Patients are able to go about their normal activities immediately after the procedure, and only have to avoid "hard" smiling for a few days.

A fuller upper lip was desired in this case, and it's clear from the photos that the patient's desires were accomplished.

Patients seeking more information about this procedure can send an email to dr.paul.jacobs@gmail.com with a smile photo or two to have a preliminary evaluation done.

Dr. Jacobs is the creator of the Reversible Lip Repositioning procedure, and one of the top providers of the Lip Repositioning procedure in the world.

Connie Blossoms

What an enjoyable moment we shared with Connie today! Her drive to Escanaba was uneventful, and she told us that she was more relaxed today and excited to get her treatment completed. Is agoraphobia conquered? No, not likely, but today another battle has been won.


Connie's dental restorations from her last appointment were comfortable, and she has been taking good care of everything that was done for her. She is learning to smile again . . . it's a journey.


Today, we completed removing all the decay from her teeth - saving and rejuvenating her smile! Connie's confidence has been boosted. All that we take for granted, like the simple ability to smile easily, has now been restored. Connie is smiling brightly.




Connie, thanks for the smile. Thanks for the tears. Thanks for the bear hugs!



Most importantly, thanks for reminding us why we do what we do in the dental office. Thanks for allowing us to use our God given talents for what He intended.



See Connie's before photos and story at: http://dentalnation.blogspot.com/2011/03/everybody-has-something.html

Progress Means More Than Teeth

Letter from Connie . . .

Hello Dr. Jacobs, You're an extraordinary man who probably doesn't realize how many people you touch. Thank you for inspiring me...and for taking my case too!

….while mired in the perpetual cycling of this disorder I’d often wonder about why this happened to me and how did I manage such blatant disregard for my smile, etceteras...

I have just read Dr. Jacobs’ blog. Beautiful. Heavy. Humbling. Thank you!

My smile has become collateral damage and as awful as it is debilitating to exist with a disorder such as agoraphobia, I would take it on again because I have come away with more than I started. Dr. Jacobs’ blog has given me solace in re-appreciating that life is a journey and it is time to buckle up and appreciate every aspect of this "stop and go" ride.

I had become a bit jaded regarding life, and how much longer could I get away with telling my son and daughter that people are good and the world’s great, when I wasn’t so sure. Why did I keep making excuses for misguided strangers as well as my very own family?.."they just don't understand" or "they have no experience with this issue." That perception is a lonely place to be.

Agoraphobics suffer in silence and will endure outrageous treatment from the world because, after all, simply reaching the destination was a battle. Avoidance is often mistaken for relief or control. Can you imagine compounding the burden with the fact that you must keep your mouth closed to avoid the obvious? In our culture, our smile conveys so many different messages, and when you can’t utilize your mouth…well, communication is next on the list of things to avoid. Brutal!

An already "fragile" person will internalize the negativity, and tah-dah…perpetual cycling! Communication is essential to getting a sensible handle over the crippling effects of agoraphobia. It took me years of avoidance/neglect, and the destruction of the smile I had been so proud to flash. Recognizing there is something wrong is critical for progress. Regardless of which side of the spectrum you think you are, many would benefit by demonstrating compassion for each another.

My feeling is that I hit the jackpot when I drove the hour and a half (one-way [can anyone say agoraphobia]) to see the Jacobs Smile Center. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical in the beginning. I was somewhat discombobulated because everyone there is so nice. Turns out, they’re even better than that! They’re people who have empathy. Not sympathy (not good), EMPATHY (good). This friends, is why I wouldn't change a thing. Good, caring people do exist and the world itself is inherently good too!

If you’re reading this, then you had to have read the original blog…awe inspiring altruism (good) -Connie

Agoraphobia is not a final "sentence". Connie's second appointment was constructive and successful. Below is a photo taken before we started today, showing the beginnings of a beautiful, confident smile. I was able to share with Connie that not only had she benefitted from the time we spent together dentally, but that my friend who also experienced agoraphobia had been enriched to know she helped Connie.




Everyone benefits when we take the time to share our human feelings and talents with each other. Who would have known that the silent sufferings of one person could serve to begin unlocking the chains that bind another. Actually, silence would have probably gone nowhere. For it is in the sharing that all are enriched - the patient, the dentist and his wife, the dental assistant, the agoraphobic friend. It's true: As you sow, so shall you reap!






Today, we repaired Connie's other three upper front teeth and all of the teeth on her right side. Connie should be smiling well these next few days! Progress with teeth . . . but oh, so much more!

Everybody Has Something

My wife Paula reassured our new patient, "everyone has something." Our new patient Connie presented last week, and was able to share with us that she had difficulty going to the dentist because of her agoraphobia. Her travels from a neighboring town and venturing into a new environment was difficult, but she knew that something had to be done about her teeth.



"Some people are afraid of heights, others worry about getting cancer or losing a loved one. You just happen to have difficulty with new situations, people, and traveling to unfamiliar places." Paula explained to Connie. "Everyone has something, whether you realize it or not."



Connie came for her first treatment appointment today, and did well. She had three root canals done, laser gum removal to get at her decay under the gums, and four teeth built up so they are white and shiny again.



Connie shared with us that she has been ashamed of her smile and of how she has let this go so long. She told us that she doesn't even kiss her husband anymore because she won't let him get that close to her decayed smile. A few short years ago, she had a beautiful smile and felt so much better about herself, but her agoraphobia kept her from maintaining her teeth. They had suffered greatly, as you can see by her before photo.



Connie asked that I share her story with others, and that she is continuing to make progress, both with her agoraphobia and also with her dental treatment. She did great today! At her request, I took this photo so she can have it as a record of her progress and so that it may serve as an inspiration to others. Our ability to take care of Connie is mostly because of our understanding of agoraphobia. Someone who is very close to me has struggled with agoraphobia for years. Few people know this, and fewer understand that someone's hardship can be a comfort to others.



Dear Friend;
It is because of your struggles and sharing your experiences with agoraphobia that I have been able to care for this precious young woman Connie. Without your help and without your suffering, I could never have understood what she was going through or what I could do to improve the quality of her life. You must know that I appreciate you so much and that Connie's life will be enriched more than you can know. Thank You!
God Bless You - Paul

Gummy Smile Repair

Gummy smile repair is now accomplished with lip repositioning. At one time, the only option for someone who showed too much upper gum and jaw tissue was complex surgery to remove some of the upper jaw bone and wire the jaw into a different position. Today, thanks to modern conservative techniques, Dr. Paul Jacobs is able to limit the movement of the upper lip with a simple intraoral procedure.

During the surgery, Dr. Jacobs employs his technique of Reversible Lip Repositioning first. The patient is able to view their approximate gummy smile repair in the first few minutes of the procedure before deciding to proceed with the permanent procedure. The reversible procedure enables the patient to decide if they want more or less change in their smile, thereby giving them more control over the final esthetic result.

Our patient pictured above was able to choose the degree of change that she was comfortable with prior to her surgery. She is shown before and after the Lip Repositioning with her maximum smile.

Shout It Out Loud: 2011 Is The Year of The Mouth!

Founding Members: President Dr. Chris Kammer, Paula Jacobs, RN, and Dr. Paul Jacobs

The Chinese have designated 2011 "The Year of the Rabbit," however, the bunnies are being asked to step aside because the president of North America's fastest growing health organization, The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH) is proclaiming the year 2011 as the "Year of the Mouth."

"Because the Mission of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health is to educate the world this Proclamation serves to illustrate the Academy's commitment to put its money where its mouth is." declares Paul Jacobs, DDS, professional speaker and Founding Member of the Academy.

AAOSH is taking a stand that the mouth is the first place to start for overall body health and longer life. In recent years the studies have been piling up connecting poor oral health to the deadliest of diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Oral health problems have also been shown to have close connections to many other serious health concerns like Alzheimer's, arthritis, pneumonia and pregnancy complications. Founding member Paul Jacobs from Escanaba, Michigan shares his concern and goal, "Unfortunately, it just isn't common knowledge that oral health can add years to your life. Our group is committed to changing that!"

"AAOSH is aware we can only get so far with this "most important message ever" using the regular scientific and medical information outlets." AAOSH President Dr Chris Kammer says, 'It's time to open new doors for the public and use new ways to communicate this message about the body-debilitating and life-shortening consequences of poor oral health." Since one of the primary missions of AAOSH members is to "Shout It Out Loud" and communicate the importance of this mouth-body connection, they have borrowed the popular song title from the legendary rock group KISS as their rallying cry. The organization hopes to make it official as well; since adding a rock-and-roll theme to this life enhancing and life extending message will likely get it heard by more people in their public service announcements. "When lives are at stake, our group will go the distance to get the public's attention," continued Dr. Jacobs. "That's what 'The Year of the Mouth" is all about."

For more information on AAOSH, please visit, http://www.aaosh.com/