Can Cosmetic Dentistry Give You a Non-Surgical Facelift?

If you're looking tired and aged beyond your years, cosmetic dentistry might be able to inject some youth into your face without the need for incisions, liposuction, or actual facial injections. There is a growing trend in the industry for patients requesting smile makeovers, and when combined with other noninvasive procedures, an effect similar to a facelift can be achieved. Slight alterations to the teeth can have a huge impact on not only your smile, but the entire balance of your facial features.

Many people are unaware of just how much improvement cosmetic dentistry can provide. Most people would like a few issues fixed like chips, gaps, and stains, but not many realize the incredible benefits of gum reduction, veneers, orthodontic devices, and dental implants. Small details such as the amount of gum tissue that is visible when smiling, or the shape of the teeth, even their relative size to one another all have an impact on the beauty of a smile. And now that technology and tools have improved over time, making these small tweaks can be affordable and is often pain-free and performed within one office visit.

So how can a whiter smile or straighter teeth compare to a facelift? Consider that a plastic surgeon has to analyze all of the individual components of the face in order to optimize individual beauty. The eyebrows should arch and reach up to a certain height. The jaw line should be defined enough and at the right angle to emphasize femininity or masculinity, etc. What they don't do is address the smile other than through a bit of limp plumping or removing wrinkles around the mouth. Teeth that are too long, yellowed, or large for the rest of the face can add years onto a person's appearance. While you think it might be the crow's feet around your eyes that are making you look tired, eliminating them isn't going to be that big of a help if your smile doesn't match.

If you're missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry intervention can save you from the damaging effects of the loss. Teeth are crucial for maintaining jaw bone structure as well as supporting the underlying facial muscles. When one or more are missing, over time the skin and lips can lose strength and slacken, causing a weakened appearance and premature ageing. Implants can help stop bone erosion and will provide the necessary support for the facial muscles. If several teeth are missing or implants are too expensive, dentures or bridgework is another option.

In addition to cosmetic dentistry, there are several nonsurgical options that can be combined with a smile makeover to increase youthfulness without all of the risks. Injectable fillers are considerably safer than a surgical facelift and can be performed within a matter of minutes at a qualified surgeon's office (although some dentists now also offer these treatments to clients). Light to medium chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing can also help you smooth out an uneven complexion, reduce scarring, and diminish the appearance of fine lines.