Cosmetic surgery is a huge business; so much so that the competition between the different types of cosmetic treatments is really heating up. There are some types of cosmetic enhancement, however, that you may not have heard of just yet. For example, did you know that there is such a thing as a dental face lift? That’s right, we’ve all heard of ‘standard’ face lifts which involve ‘under the knife’ surgery, but there is now a dental face lift available which completely rules out any surgery whatsoever.

What is a Dental Face Lift?

A dental face lift is designed to do exactly what the name suggests – increase the tautness of skin on the face to ease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, with a view to making the patient look younger than their years. The difference between a dental face lift and a ‘regular’ one is the fact that nothing is actually done to the skin. The entire procedure is a dental one and involves the restoration of the teeth in order to rebuild facial muscles that may have weakened over time.

How Do Dental Face Lifts Work?

The theory goes like this: as we age our teeth become more and more worn down. This wear decreases the amount of space between the nose and the chin. Lost teeth are another reason for a reduction in this distance. Dental face lifts work by rebuilding and replacing any missing or worn down teeth. The aim of this process is to gradually rebuild the facial muscles around the mouth and therefore restore the face to its natural height. As the muscles develop, the skin on the face will once again become taut.
Dental face lifts are still a relatively new concept and as such there is no ‘solid’ scientific evidence that they really do work. The one thing that is certain, though, is that they do not involve any unnatural manipulation of the skin. This means that you won’t come out looking like a science fiction character if anything goes wrong!

Who Can Benefit from Dental Face Lifts?

Anyone who would like to have younger looking skin combined with a brand new set of repaired teeth will likely benefit from dental face lifts. It all depends on what you, as a patient, wish to gain out of the procedure. It may be best to expect a great new smile and then, with any luck, be even more pleasantly surprised if your wrinkles disappear or improve as a result.

What are the Benefits of Dental Face Lifts?

The benefits of dental face lifts are (or at least can be) twofold. Firstly, the worn down or missing teeth are being repaired or replaced – meaning that no matter what happens with the skin on the face, the patient will have a brand new set of healthy teeth. Secondly, the patient’s skin should become tightened as the muscles rebuild, leaving them looking younger and reducing the appearance of any wrinkles that may have set in over the years. Because dental face lifts are mainly a cosmetic procedure, the only real medical benefit that can be foreseen is the replacement of damaged or missing teeth, which can cause bacteria buildup and encourage the development of oral diseases.

Are Any Risks Involved with Dental Face Lifts?

Whilst ‘regular’ face lifts come with a whole host of possible problems and risks, because dental face lifts are a purely dental procedure they are generally considered much safer. The risks that are present are really only those that you may face as a result of any trip to the dentist. Be sure that the teeth you are having to replace your old ones are to your liking – as it can be quite tricky (and expensive) to have the whole procedure carried out again.

Dental Face Lifts: A Good Alternative?

So, are dental face lifts a good alternative to the more ‘traditional’ face lift surgeries? Well, they certainly have less risk involved and the method by which they actually lift the muscles in the face is effectively natural; however, dental face lifts are not yet a tried and tested method of providing a face lift. The upside to them is that they will certainly provide you with a healthier, whiter smile – and that fact alone may well justify their existence, and cost.

The information in this article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Rob Taylor is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Dental Face Lifts

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/dental-face-lifts-1154254.html

The trend of looking good with an attractive smile is made easier with advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry. From teeth whitening to a complete smile makeover, your mouth can be healthier and more aesthetically pleasing than ever before.

AACD Update

A survey conducted in 2007 by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) revealed that the cosmetic dental boom is strong and shows no signs of slowing down. The survey revealed that cosmetic-dentistry-related revenue jumped an average of $495,000 per practice in a single year. With this increase, projections are for a $2.75 billion increase across the 5,500 practices represented by the survey sample. This equals a 15 percent increase from 2005.

Advancements in Technology

Technological advancements in natural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dental treatments stronger, longer lasting and more predictable than in previous years. Cosmetic dentists are also practicing more conservative techniques which preserve as much of your real teeth as possible.

Many cosmetic dentists also use modern technology such as lasers to complete more cosmetic treatments in their own offices, instead of sending patients to specialists. This cuts down on the number of dental visits you will need to schedule, and makes procedures more comfortable and convenient. Fewer dental visits also helps reduce the time needed for recovery.

Emerging Smile Trends

The look of too bright and overly-whitened teeth has been replaced by a smile that looks natural, yet dazzling. Today, cosmetic dentistry techniques and materials are specially designed to make realistic enhancements to your smile while highlighting your:

• Facial features
• Bone structure
• Skin tone
• Facial shape

Some specific smile trends include:

Veneers

Today’s veneers are long-lasting, made from dental porcelain that will not dull with age. It is stain-resistant, durable, and can be matched closely to your natural tooth color. Porcelain veneers are permantently bonded to the teeth and with good care will last a great many years.

Lasers

With the invention and development of lasers, the need for scalpels in cosmetic dentistry is becoming obsolete. There are soft tissue lasers for gum work and hard tissue lasers for reshaping teeth. Lasers can quickly and safely remove decay and reshape your gums. Use of a laser for treating gum disease reduces bleeding and infection, since the laser seals the healthy tissue as it removes the decay. Recovery time is shorter and more pain-free.

CAD/CAM Technology

Because of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing technology, patients can get higher quality, more natural-looking porcelain veneers. CAD/CAM technology allows dental lab technician to fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dental restorations. This technology also enhances the communication between dental laboratories and cosmetic dentists, providing for a more precise restoration with a faster turnaround time.

In order to consolidate steps and simplify cosmetic dentistry as a whole, a number of companies are making adjustments to current products, including composites and self-etching adhesives.

The success of your cosmetic dentistry will ultimately depend on the expertise and efficiency of the dentist you choose. The best step you can take for your own dental care is to choose a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist.

If you are in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott Greenhalgh for a personal consultation.

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