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Posted on: 8 April 2022

Dermal fillers are synonymous with cosmetic facial treatments, and their sole purpose is to make the facial structure appear naturally full and firm. However, did you know that dermal fillers are also used for dental treatments? Unfortunately, most people are unaware of it and look surprised when they encounter a dentist administering dermal filler to patients. The good news is that dentists are the best professionals to administer dermal fillers, thanks to their vast knowledge of the facial structure and tissues. Dentists know the exact tissue to target to achieve a healthy and natural appearance. This article highlights some of the significant benefits of dental dermal fillers.

Easy Installation of Dentures in Edentulous Patients — Although people can grow old with their natural teeth intact, most lose their pearly whites as they age. Notably, most people do not seek dental services early to replace missing teeth. Unfortunately, it results in weak and sagging facial tissues, making it challenging to install dentures. Besides, when a dentist forces dentures on an edentulous patient, the device does not fit properly. Dermal fillers are the best solution in such cases because they help restore the tension in facial tissue for adequate retention of dentures. It means that edentulous patients do not have to undergo invasive facial procedures to accommodate dentures.

Treating Gummy Smile — A 'gummy' smile is a condition where most of the upper gum shows, leaving a patient with an undesired smile. A common procedure that dentists perform on patients with gummy smiles is gum contouring. The procedure involves trimming sections of the gum line until the desired gum size is reached. Although dentists use laser technology to avoid excessive bleeding, gum contouring can be uncomfortable. Dermal fillers are an excellent alternative to gum contouring because they target the upper lip muscles. The reason is that the upper lip muscles on a person with a gummy smile are tight and pull the lip line too high when one smiles. Dermal fillers can correct the condition by relaxing upper lip muscles and lowering the lip line for a beautiful smile.

Reduce Muscle Hyperactivity — Various facial muscles are attached to the mouth and jaws, which should be active enough to support optimal dental function. However, some people suffer from muscle hyperactivity, causing severe pain and reduced jaw movement. Moreover, muscle hyperactivity can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and bruxism. Instead of administering mediation for TMJ disorder and recommending mouth guards for bruxism patients, dentists are increasingly using dermal fillers. Notably, dermal fillers can selectively numb the hyperactive muscles for quick and efficient pain relief and reduced urge to grind teeth.

For more information on dermal fillers, contact a professional near you.