Dermal fillers: A dentist's views
Can fillers transform buck teeth, a gummy smile or a square jawline?
It is possible to disguise a range of dental and jaw misalignments in half an hour instead of undergoing lengthy orthodontic treatment, or surgery, according to Dr Pradnya Apte who is both a dentist and aesthetics practitioner. She transforms faces using Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal filler.
“We are able to look holistically at patients’ faces, and offer advice and treatments which are in tune with the whole rather than viewing features in isolation,”, says Dr Pradnya. “For example, I often find myself looking inside my patients mouths before I apply filler to the lips, to ensure I am judging my filler placement in relation to the teeth and other supporting structures. I can correct the appearance of protruding teeth or a gummy smile with dermal filler to the lips.”
Dr Pradnya explains that the aim isn’t to create bee stung lips or a Kylie Jenner pout, although this can be an added bonus if it’s requested. Rather, as a dentist, she has the training to fully understand the underlying skeletal anatomy of the lower face and jaw area, and is therefore qualified to veil dental problems using filler.
“Dentists undergo a significant amount of medical training, in fact the first year or so training is often run in parallel with doctors”, Dr Pradnya explains. “However, in the next four years, dentists spend significantly more time learning and understanding the anatomy of the face. Of course, as you would expect, much is focussed on teeth and gums, but a great deal of time is spent building up a detailed and intricate knowledge of the workings of the facial muscles and bone structure, how the positioning of teeth will affect cheeks and lips, and, in layman’s terms how your face works! It would be fair to say that dentists know faces intimately, inside and out.”
So if, for example, a patient has protruding upper teeth or a weak, recessive chin, Dr Pradnya is able to apply filler to add volume and augment the lips and jaw. She uses a next generation advanced hyaluronic acid dermal filler which is completely broken down within the skin over a period of months, eventually leaving no trace.
The procedures are carried out in less than half an hour without disruption to a person’s daily schedule as they can get up and go straight after treatment. Bruising or temporary redness or tenderness are minimal and the only potential downsides of the procedure.
The instant psychological lift and confidence boost achieved by these fast and minimally invasive treatments are notable and can alter a person’s outlook almost immediately. The effects of both treatments last between 6-7 months, after which they can be performed again.
Meet the Expert
Dr Pradnya Apte is a dentist, and Harley Street-trained aesthetics practitioner whose facial treatment skills have earned her the nickname The Lip Dentist. She is an Aesthetic Practitioner who runs Skin South West in Exeter and also holds clinics at at Harley Street Dental Group.