Cosmetic Dentistry

Fillers, Botox or lifting treatments are not sufficient to erase the signs of time from one’s face: Indeed, the facial skin is not the only part that sags. The bones and the lower jaw age as well.

Starting from 120 x-ray images, researchers at the U.S. University of Rochester measured the changes occurring in the facial bones over the years. By dividing these sample images into 3 age groups (20-36, 41-64 and over 65) and using a software application that measures the length, width and angle of the jaw, they found out that the angle of the lower jaw increases significantly with the passing of time, thus causing a loss of definition in the lower face.

Considering that, as far as bones are concerned, the jaw is the base of the face. Its gradual decline results in the reduced “support” of the neck tissues, which leads to the firm decay of the general shape.

Crucial elements to stop this process of decay are the health of both the upper and the lower dental arches and their harmonious contact while closing the mouth.

Before any cosmetic treatment or surgery it is hence vital to first analyse both the dental occlusion and the structure of the oral cavity and then evaluate the need for corrections.