Australasian Dentist Magazine Sept-Oct 2021

Category Australasian Dentist 73 lower lips at smile will also change. The movement of the corners of the mouth is dictated by the modiolus (also known as the oral commissure or chellion), where eight muscles meet. In particular, the Zygomaticus Major and the Depressor Anguli Oris muscles, which insert into the zygomatic arch and the mandible, respectively. So the changing the vertical dimension, will result in a changed lip posture and position also. The other change that can occur with the dental occlusion over time, is a loss in dental protrusion of the teeth. This means that instead of the teeth being nicely positioned and holding the lip tissue out, there can be crowding where the teeth crowd over one another. This leads to the teeth sitting less prominently, and thus the lip position will also be less projected. Combined with the loss in vertical dimension this results in the lips being less everted and further results in the folding in of the lip itself. Strategies to correct the lip support from the teeth are long and varied. But in summary some options may include: 1. Correction of tooth position with orthodontic treatment. This will create and increased vertical dimension and increased projection of the teeth themselves, so the lip support from both the teeth and supporting maxilla and mandibular bones will be increased. Some broad options are traditional bracket braces and the more contemporary approach of aligners to straighten the teeth. 2. Restoration of teeth. Many times, patients will opt for the quick fix. This is where we use dental restorative techniques to enhance the teeth. By adding porcelain veneers over the teeth, the length and projection of the teeth will also be improved. Again this has a supportive effect on the lip structure sitting on top. 3. Replacement of missing teeth. Whenever we lose a tooth, there is a resulting loss of the bone that would normally sit around the roots of the natural teeth. Replacing the teeth will result in better dental occlusion or bite, and again better support. There are a number of treatment options for replacing missing teeth. These are: A. Dentures B. Dental implants C. Dental bridges. Increasing collagen and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) production Strategies to increase collagen and HA are wide and varied, and largely depend upon the technologies and equipment you have in your clinic. Some options include: 1. Microneedling 2. Light-based energies, such as IPL, LED and laser 3. Radiofrequency and similar energy based devices. All of these stimulatory treatments are aimed at ‘ramping up’ the fibroblasts that are non-productive. With increased production, our clients will begin to notice an improvement in the cutaneous lip stability, and also the resistance of the lip to creasing when the mouth muscle is contracted. Several sessions will be required, and maintenance over time too. Skin Boosters Unlike traditional Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers, Skinboosters are a form of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that are completely non-crosslinked. Cross linking is the amount of bonding that is usually present in dermal filler that gives it the ability to lift and enhance and be stable in the skin for months or years at a time. Non cross-linked HA cannot do this. They act similar to an “injected hydrator” that improves skin health and vitality, without any enhancement. We all know that hydrated skin functions better, as nutrient perfusion and cellular activity is improved. Skinboosters work on this principle. The Skinbooster treatment is not intended to fill lines and wrinkles. Instead, it is to hydrate the skin and promote formation of new collagen and elastin in the long term. Patients notice a more dewy and firmer appearance to the skin and more of a ‘glow’ as a result. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, they are not injected beneath the skin to volumize or accentuate certain features of the face. Instead they are injected directly into the dermis to hydrate and improve overall skin quality. The Skinbooster’s stabilized HA is very fluid, so the final result is smooth and subtle resulting in a healthy, plump and glowing complexion. It is recommended to do 3 treatments, 2 to 4 weeks apart following with maintenance treatments every 4 to 6 months. This is perfect for patients that would like the ‘untouched look”. Improve dental occlusion Lip augmentation clinical