Initial situation
- Deep bite
- Narrowing of the upper and lower jaw bases
- Crowded teeth
- Excessive gum display when smiling
- "Cheek corridors"
- Asymmetrical smile
- Misaligned central line
The decision
This case is presented as a before-and-after outcome. As with other cases in this practice, the treatment plan followed a standard staged assessment addressing the deep bite, arch narrowing, crowding, and asymmetry together.
Addressing arch width and bite depth together can resolve cheek corridors and gummy smile display as part of the same treatment plan.
The result
Treatment achieved a normal orthognathic bite and expanded dental arches for a wider smile, eliminating the cheek corridors and reducing gum display when smiling. The smile was also brought into symmetry, with the central line restored, leaving the patient with a wide, open, and symmetrical smile.
A deep bite combined with narrow arches can produce cheek corridors and excessive gum display, and correcting the transverse dimension alongside bite depth can resolve both esthetic concerns together.
About skeletal expansion & MARPE
This case shows how a deep bite is often intertwined with transverse arch deficiency, producing secondary esthetic effects like cheek corridors and a gummy smile. Widening narrow arches while correcting bite depth can address these findings simultaneously rather than treating each in isolation. Staged assessment of the bite, arch width, and smile symmetry together supports a coordinated plan that restores both function and a balanced smile appearance.
Questions clinicians ask
What are cheek corridors and why do they occur?
Cheek corridors are the dark spaces visible at the corners of the mouth when smiling, often linked to narrow upper arches that leave the buccal segments too far from the cheeks.
How is a gummy smile related to a deep bite?
A deep bite can be associated with increased gum display, and correcting bite depth alongside arch width often reduces how much gum shows when smiling.
What does restoring the central line involve?
Restoring the central line means realigning the midline between the upper front teeth with the facial midline, which is often achieved as crowding and asymmetry are corrected.
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Original case shared by Dr. Mark Radzhabov on Instagram @orthodont_mark · Published for professional education.
