While many are familiar with aesthetic dentistry and the many benefits of improving the look of your smile, facial aesthetics in dentistry is a fairly new aspect to dentistry and you may not know about its benefits. Here at Westlake Family Dentistry, we are proud to offer services for facial aesthetics and would like to educate you on how we can help improve your smile beyond your teeth.
What does facial aesthetics mean in dentistry?
Facial aesthetics in dentistry are used to improve aspects of the lips, cheeks, chin structure, and jaw position to best support and highlight your smile. This is usually achieved through injectables designed specifically for facial aesthetics. The most common products and services we provide for facial aesthetics are Botox, dermal fillers, and skin rejuvenation.
- Botox- Botulinum Toxin A, the scientific name for Botox, provides a buffer to neurotransmitters within the injected muscles, lessening the signal to contract. This releases the tension of wrinkles and folds around the injection sites. The full effects of Botox can take 2-14 days to fully develop and can last up to 6 months. Patients may resume all normal activities immediately after treatment. Common side effects, as with all injectable products, include swelling, bruising, bleeding, and itching at the injection site. Most side effects resolve themselves naturally within 24 hours.
- Dermal Fillers- Dermal fillers are safe, gel-like injectable substances that smooth creases, fine lines, and wrinkles to rejuvenate your skin and add volume and fullness to your face. Dermal fillers can be used to enhance your lips, fill your cheeks, straighten out your jawline, soften grooves underneath your eyes, and many other cosmetic alterations to reduce the visible effects of aging. Dermal fillers do not fill in wrinkles but rather add volume to the desired area in order to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. FDA-approved dermal fillers can last between six to 12 months before fading and requiring another injection. The lifespan and overall effectiveness of your dermal filler treatment depend on your physiological makeup which is why we recommend consulting your doctor before beginning treatment. Most dermal fillers last between six and 12 months before they are absorbed back into the skin and the results start to fade. Typically, most FDA-approved dermal fillers are also infused with lidocaine to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment. Injecting cosmetic dermal fillers only takes a short amount of time to complete, and most patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
- Skin Rejuvenation- Skin rejuvenation treatments are the ideal choice for patients seeking to reduce the effects of aging by restoring your skin’s youthful elasticity and brightness. Skin rejuvenation can also be used for therapeutic purposes to treat skin conditions such as rosacea, irregular pigmentation, broken capillaries, spider veins, freckles, or brown spots. Common skin rejuvenation treatment options include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and intense pulse light therapies (IPL).
Why should I go to my dentist for facial aesthetic services?
While many of these services are offered at dermatology clinics and various types of spas, there are a few reasons why seeking treatment at your dentist is a favorable option. First, our facility is fully equipped and trained to meet your facial aesthetic needs without having to seek a different, certified professional that you may have never met before. Bouncing around from office to office and doctor to doctor can be confusing, tiring, and expensive, so our one-stop-shop can save you time, effort, and money. We can assure you that the facial aesthetic services we offer will be handled with the same care and professionalism as the dental services that you have continually trusted us for over the years. We take patient care very seriously and our full spectrum of dental and facial aesthetic services can help you achieve more than just a bright smile, but a glowing face as well.
Secondly, not every office is best suited for the safe administration of injectables and facial aesthetic services. Our office is well suited for the administration of injectables as we already have the necessary equipment needed to safely and effectively provide treatment for facial aesthetics and can ensure the cleanliness of the instruments and treatment area used during each procedure. This is extremely important, as services provided in other facilities that are not certified to perform facial aesthetic procedures can leave you at a higher risk of infection and are not always the best option when it comes to ensuring successful, lasting results. By trusting your facial aesthetic care to us, we can ensure a safe, effective treatment that coincides with your dental and aesthetic goals.
If you have questions about our facial aesthetic services or would like to schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options, contact Westlake Family Dental Care today. We can’t wait to help turn that beautiful smile into a bright, glowing face!