What is a Non Surgical Facelift Performed by a Dentist?

A non surgical facelift done by a dentist refers to non surgical treatment that is designed to dramatically improve facial proportions, skin tautness, jaw line, lip support, and many other facial features primarily by making a change in a patients bite position. (refer to video “Neuromuscular Orthodontics” on our site). This involves advancing the lower jaw comfortably and non surgically. This can also involve advancing (bringing forward) the upper front teeth in order that they support the lip adequately and so that the upper front teeth are more visible and flattering.

Skin creases, wrinkles and sags (and we get “double chins”) in large part because the skin doesn’t have adequate support. The skin relies on the hard structures underneath it for support. The skin can be tightened, smoothed, and properly supported without any surgical procedures while at the same time the facial proportions and the facial profile is greatly enhanced.

The skin around the face and neck is much like a balloon. If there is enough air in the balloon the balloon will look and feel firm and free of sags or creases. A balloon without adequate air will not be taut and it will sag and fold on itself, etc.. Putting more air in the balloon is the same as advancing the hard structures of the face, (bones and teeth). It turns out that the skin is not just the domain of those who would use a scalpel or injectables. The face is profoundly influenced by the hard structures (underneath) the skin. These are the facial bones, the maxilla and mandible (lower jaw) AND the teeth. These structures are all very influenced by factors that can be influenced and guided and corrected by a dentist trained in physiologic dentistry. Moving the teeth is an orthopedic and orthodontic procedure but moving the jaw is a neuromuscular procedure. Not the typical domain of dentists but one that is highly successful and predictable when applied.

There is a reason that obese people do not have wrinkles and very thin people are more likely to have wrinkles. All other things being equal the reason for this is because the presence of extra fat (support) under the skin acts to prevent wrinkles. Fat and hard structures are what prevent sagging but what makes hard structures much preferred (beyond the obvious) is that the hard structures give great form and proportion to the face. We don’t want weak chins and flat cheek bones and compressed faces and the way to avoid this is to have proper bone structure. If you don’t have it presently you can create it by changing the bite and, often additionally, by moving the upper front teeth.

If you have ever felt uncomfortable with the prominence of your nose or with the position of your lower chin then you can improve both dramatically by advancing your lower jaw. Almost without exception the more prominent nose will not appear large after the lower jaw is positioned properly. Noses often look larger than they are because the lower face is insufficient and retruded. And if this wasn’t enough it is important to note that bringing the lower jaw forward ALWAYS puts it in a more relaxed position. When the muscles of the jaws are relaxed the jaw comes down and forward. This is where it should be. TMJ problems are when these muscles are overworking as a result of the jaw and bite being too far back. Poorly proportioned faces and TMJ and Sleep Apnea are often the result of jaws that are too far back. How many things are there in life where when you treat one esthetic problem you are also likely to treat two other (structural) problems.