In many ways, rejuvenation dentistry is better than a facelift. You can see dramatic improvement in your facial appearance, enjoy better function of your teeth and jaws, and, of course, you’ll have a brighter, more beautiful smile. Without surgery.
Many people can enjoy the benefits of rejuvenation with a smile makeover, but it is not right for everyone. How do you know if it is right for you? The only true way is by talking to St. Louis cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill, but there are some signs you can look for at home.
Worn Teeth
One of the biggest clues that you would benefit from rejuvenation dentistry is that your teeth are worn down. How can you identify worn teeth?
One thing to look for is that all your teeth are the same height. Initially, our teeth have varying heights, especially our upper incisors. As they experience wear, they get worn down to a uniform height. You can also look at the biting edge of the teeth–if these reveal a different color of material inside, then you have experienced significant tooth wear.
TMJ Symptoms
Tooth wear often results from a form of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Other times, teeth grinding and wear can cause your jaw to move out of position, which stresses the jaw joint and muscles, leading to TMJ. Whichever came first, watch out for symptoms like:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Popping and clicking of the joint
- Irregular jaw motion
- Ear-related symptoms like vertigo, ringing in the ears, ear fullness, or earache
If you are experiencing these or any other symptoms of TMJ, you could probably benefit from rejuvenation dentistry. And, as a bonus, rejuvenation dentistry can relieve your TMJ.
Wrinkles around the Mouth
As your teeth lose volume, your lips and skin around your mouth has to compress and fold more to close. This leads to wrinkles around your mouth. You might see what are known as smoker’s lines or lipstick lines, which radiate out from your lips. Other common lines include nasolabial folds, also called parentheses lines or marionette lines, which develop as the cheek pads and jawline move closer together, and the labiomental crease, which develops between the lower lip and chin.
Jowls
Jowls occur when the fat pads of the cheeks cross over the jawline. Traditionally, this was attributed to the sinking of the fat pads due to gravity and loss of elasticity in the skin and support tissue. But that is only part of the story.
Wear on your teeth, loss of teeth, and shrinking jawbone can reduce the space between your upper and lower jaws, effectively bringing your jaw up to meet your sinking cheek pads. If you have jowls, there is a good chance that rejuvenation dentistry can reduce or eliminate them.
A Rounder Face
As the jaw rises, your face can change shape. Your face may have started as a heart or an oval, but as the jaw rises, it can become shorter and more circular.
This is a change that a facelift will not correct.
Changes in Your Profile
The changes in your face shape are also visible in your profile. Of course, you will notice that your profile is getting shorter. But you will also notice other changes. Your chin may recede. You may notice hanging skin under your chin, called a turkey neck. Along with the presence of jowls, this can virtually erase your jawline.
Let Us Rejuvenate Your Appearance
If you are experiencing these signs of facial aging, it is likely that rejuvenation dentistry can help you look younger.
To find out if this procedure is good for you, please call (314) 678-7876 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) today for an appointment with St. Louis cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill at City Smiles.
