The effects of ageing on the body are varied, yet quite distinct on one’s facial appearance.
Have you ever noticed the creases that appear on the face, the deepening of folds at the sides of the nose, down turning of the corners of the lips and the appearance of Marrionette lines either side of the chin. These changes are not only due to a natural ageing process and loss of tissue volume in the face, but often exacerbated by the changes that occur in the mouth. Tooth loss and tooth wear, whether it natural or accelerated due to tooth grinding or clenching directly result in an ‘aged’ appearance.
According to Dr Hillel New “The dental changes that occur with ageing result in a reduction in facial height.” (as seen in the images below). Over time it is common to see people’s chins come closer and closer to their nose (see diagram) and lips becoming thinner and sometimes disappearing ‘inside the mouth’ as these changes take place.
BOTOX and dermal fillers have been used for many years to treat skin wrinkles and reduce the visible signs of ageing, however as these wrinkles and folds become deeper and more exaggerated, for a more effective long lasting results, it is crucial to address the tooth loss and wear. By first correcting the height of the lower face and then applying routine anti-wrinkle and filler treatments, we are able to achieve a longer lasting and more natural looking result.
Occasionally, the dental / tooth changes mentioned above are coupled with pain in the jaws and surrounding structures as the body tries to cope with this change. Dentofacial pain and pain about the head, neck and shoulder region that mimick ‘migrane’ pain is also common in some people undergoing these ageing transformations.
In order to avoid, treat or manage many of the aging related problems, it is important to have a good understanding of these processes as well as techniques to correct them. “We remedy the aging process in a holistic and multifaceted approach.”, says Dr Hillel New Co Founder of the “Facelab Clinics”.
First of all, it’s paramount to correct the problem of ‘facial height loss’. This can be done with dental rehabilitation techniques such as building up worn down teeth, replacing missing back teeth with implanted teeth, or if the teeth are in a fragile or hopeless state, or removable dentures are worn, treatments such as “All on 4 plus” specific to the All-On-4 Clinics may offer an almost instant fix (see: www.allon4.com.au – Ph: 1300 ALL ON 4).
Once the face height is restored, injectables such as Anti-Wrinkle medication and Dermal Fillers can be used to treat those other signs and symptoms associated with ageing.
‘Water bottle lines’ around the lips can be treated with Anti-Wrinkle medications and Dermal Fillers can be used to replace lost volume reducing the folds on the sides of the nose (nasolabial folds), plumping the lips, improving the corners of the lips(oral commissures) and filling out the vertical skin lines on either side of the chin, commonly known as ‘Marionette lines’. “The one thing we always strive for with treatment, is the reversal of the visual signs of ageing. At Facelab our goal is for a more youthful, but still natural look. Less is more when it comes to cosmetic treatments, because we can always do enhancements and ‘top ups’ as required” Dr New adds.
Anti-Wrinkle Medications that act on muscles and local anaesthetics can also be used to treat painful conditions about the jaws, head, shoulders and neck in those people who suffer from tooth grinding, clenching, dentofacial or orofacial pain, whether it is due to ageing or other factors. If left untreated, the ageing changes worsen and so too can the pain associated with them, so its important to stay on top of these problems and seek help from experienced professionals.
“As Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentists trained and accredited by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, we deal with faces every day and understand golden facial proportions. We train other doctors and cosmetic consultants because we know how to achieve the look that people want, with subtle enhancements to reverse the signs of ageing.
Of course our background also enables us to assess and treat the smile, perioral folds, jowls and sagging lower face, as well as to expertly perform lip enhancements,” says Dr. Fibishenko.
For a ‘Beauty Before Age’ consultation with one of the highly trained professionals at Facelab on 1300 322 352 or visit www.facelab.com.au for more information.