Facial Aesthetic Treatments in Dentistry

• Scope: In some regions, dentists (with proper training) can provide minimally invasive facial aesthetic procedures that complement dental and smile esthetics.

• Common Treatments:

  • Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A):

    • Dynamic wrinkles → glabellar lines, forehead, crow’s feet.

    • Therapeutic uses → masseter hypertrophy, bruxism-related symptoms, gummy smile.

    • Duration → ~3–4 months.

  • Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers:

    • Volume restoration/contouring → lips, nasolabial folds, marionette lines.

    • Longevity → varies by filler type and depth of injection.

• Safety & Complications:

  • Usually safe with proper training, asepsis, and anatomy-guided technique.

  • Possible issues:

    • Minor → bruising, swelling, asymmetry, Tyndall effect (HA).

    • Serious (rare) → vascular occlusion (fillers), eyelid ptosis (BoNT-A).

  • Risk reduction:

    • Thorough medical history + informed consent.

    • Slow/aspirational injections; use cannulas when suitable.

    • Hyaluronidase available for HA complications.

    • Emergency referral protocols for vision changes.

• Other Options:

  • Surgical → lip lift, lower face/neck lifts, fat grafting (mainly plastic/maxillofacial surgery).

• Clinical Integration:

  • When used appropriately, facial aesthetics can enhance smile design and patient satisfaction.

  • Success depends on sound indications and realistic expectations.