Beyond Veneers and Cosmetic Dentistry - No Drilling, No Surgery
Every year of our lives our teeth become shorter and thinner due to normal wear and tear. This shortening and thinning is commonly called bite erosion. The consequences of bite erosion are extensive and they are not limited to just the teeth. Sometimes the evidence shows up on our faces as thin or squished lips, a turned down mouth, or even sagging soft tissue.
Frequently people undergo lip injections or lip fillers in an attempt to restore fullness to their lips. Others have the soft tissue tucked and pulled to improve the sagging. While these are all ways to make an aesthetic improvement they do not address the root of the problem, which is the eroded bite.
This patient had healthy teeth that had been worn down over the years. As the teeth shortened and thinned she lost the facial length and soft tissue support that she had years before. When she was not smiling the corners of her mouth turned down and her lips were squeezed together. This is all a result of worn down teeth and an eroded bite
Correcting an eroded bite can be a great way to improve your entire face and smile all at the same time. While some patients need better lip and soft tissue support, others will benefit most from facial lengthening or jaw re-positioning. You will finish the treatment with an amazing smile but also with optimal oral health. Regardless of what you need to look and feel your best, the treatment is customized around each and every individual patient to optimize results.
Everyone experiences bite erosion over the years, but like this patient, some people amplify the problem by grinding their teeth. Very few people have a perfect bite from the start. Then as erosion and grinding occurs a bite that is less than perfect can quickly become a bad bite. Those of us that have a bad bite can exhibit physical health symptoms such as headaches, facial pain, and TMJ tiredness. Other patients do not necessarily have these health symptoms but they see the negative effects of a bad bite show up in their faces. They may look older than their chronological age or see pre-mature aging in the soft tissue of their faces and necks.
Tooth erosion restoration: Notice in the before image how her lips are squished together and the corners of her mouth turn down. Now her teeth support her lips and her lower face is lengthened making her jawline more feminine and youthful
Teeth that have been subjected to extensive grinding (bruxism) will often appear “sawed off” and square. The edges of the teeth can even have cracks and chips as the enamel breaks under pressure from biting and grinding. At the same time, the surfaces of the teeth are also thinning. This thinning shows up as dull teeth that can have a grey tone to them and this patient was no exception. She had worn away the outer surface of her teeth so the luster and shine was gone. As the teeth thinned each year they supported her lips less and less.
Notice how the short teeth are dull and almost grey in color from years of wear. Now the luster and shine is restored and her smile is wider and fuller but still totally natural
She wanted to restore the vibrancy to her face in a very natural and believable way. Her goal was not super white teeth or a flashy smile but rather to develop an ideal look that enhanced her face. Dr. Muslin explained that he could create better lip support and improve lower facial proportions to give her a more youthful look with his anti-aging dentistry He also suggested widening the smile to create a fuller and more impactful presence. Of course the short teeth had to be restored to a longer more elegant look. Finally, to keep the results totally natural she picked a believable color that complimented her skin tone.
Without any grinding on her healthy natural teeth Dr. Muslin restored the length and shape that she needed. Because her teeth were already too short, there was no need to grind them down any more. Without any grinding she did not need any shots or pain medication. Her healthy natural teeth stayed completely in tact under the porcelain for a rejuvenated look.
For those patient’s interested in a younger more healthy body and facial appearance, call for your appointment today.
Face Lift Dentistry® Is The Future of Bite Correction
Face Lift Dentistry® not only optimizes your smile, but it also optimizes your entire face! Call today and get ready to change your life. Face Lift Dentistry® results are Safer, More Reliable, Testable, and Far More Predictable Healthcare with enormous Cosmetic Impact.
Contact UsFace Lift Dentistry® fee is $40,000 per upper or lower arch plus any additional dental work such as fillings, gum work, dental implants, etc. Most patients get both the upper and the lower arches done simultaneously to maximize their results and get the most health benefits possible. Face Lift Dentistry® is dental health care that is tax deductible depending on your income, so we advise that you check with your accountant.
