By Randy K. Newby, DDS T he lip bumper (Fig. 1) is an orthodontic appliance that relieves teeth crowding in the mandibular arch by increas-ing dentoalveolar length and through apical base expansion (Fig. 2). 6 The lip bumper works by shielding the teeth from the buccal forces of the lip and cheeks pushing inward. The ideal activated position of the lip bumper is 2 mm labial of the anterior teeth and 2 mm buccal Fig. 1 of the primary molars or permanent bicuspids (Fig. 3). The Components of the Lip Bumper (Fig. 4) Molar bands with lip bumper tubes are cemented on the mandibular first molars. The lip bumper is a .045 SS wire with extensions and stops that fit into the lip bumper tubes of the first molar bands. There is a lateral U-shaped loop on each side of the lip bumper that can be adjusted at each appointment to advance it. The lip bumper has an anterior butterfly-shaped acrylic shield. The shield protects the lower lip from becoming embedded into the wire, which might happen if the shield was not present. Secondly, the shield provides adequate surface area for molar distalization and arch widen-ing when the lower lip engages it. Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 2 Fig. 5 8 Summer 2022 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2022: Page 8
