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How dental ageing affects facial appearance Over time, our teeth and jaws can cause signs of ageing in our face through a process known as dental ageing. is refers to the changes in our teeth and jaws that occur as we age. As the teeth and jaws are the foundation of the lower face, this structural change signi cantly contributes to the region’s appearance. ese changes can include: Wear and tear e gradual wearing down of our teeth, causing them to lose their natural shape and size. is can also a ect our bite, changing it and a ecting the appearance of our jawline. Tooth loss As we age, we may lose teeth due to decay, gumdisease, or other factors. is can cause the remaining teeth to shift and create gaps or unevenness in the smile. When we lose back teeth, in particular, this may lead to buccal hollowing in the cheeks.

Changes in tooth colour Our teeth can become discoloured over time due to factors such as smoking, co ee, or wine consumption. Yellow or stained teeth can make us look older and less healthy. Changes in jawbone structure e bone that supports our teeth can become thinner and lose density over time, which can a ect the overall shape and appearance of the face and lips. Gum recession Receding gums are common and occur when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, exposing the roots. is can create a “toothy” or uneven smile and contribute to a more aged appearance. Overall, the ageing process in the lower face is a complex interplay of various factors. Aesthetics practitioners in the dental space may wish to focus on treatments that enhance the appearance of the lower face and perioral region. ese can include using soft tissue llers to restore volume and smooth rhytides (lines), for example: u Smoker’s lines (vertical lines around the mouth, also known as barcode lines) Lower face treatments for rejuvenation

u Chin ller and jawline contouring u Lip ller. u ere are also a number of botox treat ments that can be useful when treating the lower face u Perioral toxin to reduce smoker’s lines u Masseter botox to slim the jaw and alleviate bruxism issues u Gummy smile treatments to reduce excessive gingival display u Lip ip to evert the lip making it look fuller. A con dent and well-trained aestheti cally-minded practitioner will also be able to combine treatments to safely meet their patients’ goals. u

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plaque disclose WHAT WILL YOUR PATIENT’S MOUTH REVEAL?

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