While many people address changes in their appearance caused by aging by seeking out cosmetic procedures, some dentists say their profession can help patients look better as well.
"Many of our patients are concerned about how their face is aging," cosmetic dentist Dr. Kourosh Maddahi recently told AmericanHealthAndBeauty.com. "Their upper lip appears to be thinning out as they’re getting older and their lower lip does not seem to be in the right place anymore. What is actually happening is the support and foundation that their teeth offered is now moving as they age, resulting in a sunken look and wrinkles around the mouth."
Although injections of Botulinium Toxin Type A, hyaluronic acid and collagen from a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologists are sometimes used to address these issues, Dr. Maddahi says that dental work can also improve many individuals' facial appearance.
The procedure to help an aging smile works by providing stronger support to the mouth area to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as to make the lips appear fuller.
"Because the lip is actually sitting on top of the teeth, if there isn't a proper arch, it would affect how the lips look on the outside. If someone’s lips look too thin, it is most likely due to teeth being too far in the jaw," Dr. Maddahi told the website.
The dental lift is performed by using a combination of dental crowns and veneers to improve the look of the teeth and the external mouth area.
Some experts suggest having dental work done prior to undergoing any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures to have the best effect. While dental work might make drastic improvements, others who want a more complete facial improvement will continue to seek out options such as Botox, Juvederm and other injectables for the areas around the eyes and on the forehead.