When it comes to looking younger, most people think about Botox, dermal fillers or cosmetic surgery. But according to cosmetic dentist Dr. Kooper Ruminer, there may be another factor influencing how old someone looks: their teeth.
Ruminer, founder of 405 Dental Aesthetics in Oklahoma City, is introducing the concept of a “dental facelift,” an approach that uses cosmetic and restorative dentistry to address changes in tooth structure that can affect the appearance of the lower face.
As people age, teeth naturally experience wear and may become shorter, shift positions or change the way the bite comes together. These changes can affect facial proportions, the appearance of the jawline and the support provided to the lips.
“Teeth can wear down, become shorter and shift over time, and the bite can change,” Ruminer explains. Those changes may contribute to an aging appearance around the mouth and lower third of the face.
He identifies three ways cosmetic dentistry may help improve facial aesthetics.
1. Restoring Height to the Lower Face
Years of chewing, grinding and everyday wear can gradually reduce tooth height. In some patients, rebuilding lost tooth structure through bonding, veneers or restorative dentistry may help restore the vertical dimension of the bite and create more balanced facial proportions.
2. Improving the Appearance of Facial Proportions
When teeth become worn, changes in the bite can influence how the lower face appears. Restoring appropriate tooth height may create the visual impression of a longer, leaner lower face. The results depend on individual anatomy, tooth position and jaw function.
3. Providing Additional Lip Support
Teeth play an important role in supporting the lips. As tooth structure changes, the lips may lose some of the underlying support that contributes to their appearance. Carefully designed veneers, including no-prep and minimal-prep options for appropriate candidates, can modify tooth shape and contour to improve that support.
However, Ruminer emphasizes that a dental facelift is not a replacement for traditional facial rejuvenation procedures. Dentistry addresses teeth and dental structures, while cosmetic surgery and injectables target skin and soft tissue.
Before considering a lower facelift, he suggests that patients evaluate whether changes in their teeth and bite may be contributing to their concerns.
Ruminer is the founder of 405 Dental Aesthetics, which offers cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry, including veneers, dental implants, crowns and smile makeovers.
Learn more or schedule a complimentary cosmetic consultation at 405DentalAesthetics.com.