As a later in life mom as much as I hate to admit it the older I’ve gotten the move I’ve noticed my teeth are bothering me more and more. My poor face has wrinkles it almost looks like a road map along with all the other little reminders that I’m getting older. Sometimes I look in the mirror and think, I look more like Charlie’s grandmother than his mother!
And honestly, there are times when I don’t even want to smile—especially when someone wants to take a picture. But aging isn’t just about wrinkles. Our teeth age right along with the rest of us, and changes in our teeth can affect more than just our smile. They can affect how comfortable we are eating, how we feel about smiling, and potentially even how the lower part of our face looks.
For our family, dental care is also something we have to think about carefully. Not having dental insurance can really limit what we can and cannot do—not only for David and me, but for Charlie, too. And those decisions we make today can potentially affect our dental health later in life. That’s one reason I thought this information was worth sharing.
This article is brought to us courtesy of Dr. Kooper Ruminer, founder of 405 Dental Aesthetics in Oklahoma City, who explains how changes to our teeth may influence the appearance of the aging lower face.
What Is a “Dental Facelift”?
When we hear the words facelift or facial rejuvenation, most of us probably think about wrinkles, sagging skin, Botox, fillers, or surgery. But cosmetic dentist Dr. Kooper Ruminer says there is another part of the aging face that deserves attention: our teeth.
Over the years, teeth can wear down, become shorter, shift, or change the way they come together when we bite. Those changes can affect the proportions of the lower third of the face. Dr. Ruminer refers to the concept as a “dental facelift.”
That doesn’t mean cosmetic dentistry replaces a traditional facelift or other facial treatments. Instead, it means that restoring or changing the dental structures may influence the appearance and support of the lower face in some patients.
One thing we may not realize is our Teeth change as we age. We spend a lot of time talking about what happens to our skin as we get older. Wrinkles. Loss of elasticity. Changes in volume. But our teeth are changing, too.
Years of chewing, biting, grinding, clenching, and normal wear can gradually change the height and shape of our teeth. Our bite can change as well. According to Dr. Ruminer, a cosmetic dental evaluation may consider things such as tooth length, bite, lip support, tooth position, and how the smile relates to the rest of the face.
And that makes sense when you stop and think about it. Our teeth aren’t just something we use to chew food. They are part of the structure behind our lips and part of the overall appearance of our smile.
1. Restoring Lost Tooth Height– One of the things Dr. Ruminer discusses is the loss of tooth height.
Years of wear can gradually make teeth shorter. In some people, changes in tooth height and the bite may contribute to changes in the appearance of the lower face. For appropriately selected patients, restorative or cosmetic dentistry may be used to rebuild lost tooth structure.
Depending on the individual’s situation, treatments could include bonding, veneers, or more comprehensive restorative dentistry. But the goal isn’t simply to make someone’s teeth longer. A dentist needs to consider the relationship between the teeth, bite, smile, and face while also protecting healthy function.
2. How Dental Changes May Affect Facial Proportions– Here’s the part that really caught my attention.
When tooth height and position are appropriately restored, the proportions of the lower face can look different in some patients. Dr. Ruminer explains that changes in the relationship between the width and height of the lower face may create the appearance of a longer or more balanced lower face.
But this isn’t something that works the same way for everyone. Our jaw structure, tooth position, bite, muscle activity, and overall oral health are all different. So this isn’t a matter of simply getting veneers because we want our face to look younger or thinner. A proper dental evaluation comes first.
3. Your Teeth Help Support Your Lips Our lips naturally change as we age, losing some volume and elasticity. But there is something behind those lips that we don’t always think about: Our teeth. Changes in tooth position, shape, and wear can affect how the lips rest against the smile.
For some patients, cosmetic treatments such as no-prep or minimal-prep veneers may be used to modify the contour of the teeth. The goal isn’t to duplicate the results of lip injections or facial surgery. Rather, it is to consider whether changes to the dental structure are contributing to the appearance of the mouth and lower face. And once again, the results are highly individual.
Before You Decide What Procedure You Need– If you’re looking in the mirror and noticing changes around your mouth, jaw, or lower face, it can be easy to assume that the answer must be Botox, filler, or surgery.
But Dr. Ruminer suggests looking at the bigger picture. Instead of immediately asking, “What procedure do I need?” It may be helpful to first ask: “What has changed?” Is it your skin? Your facial tissues? Your lips? Your teeth? Your bite? Or perhaps a combination of several things?
A facelift addresses the skin and facial tissues. Cosmetic dentistry addresses the teeth and dental structures. They are very different treatments. However, understanding the role that your teeth and smile play in your overall facial appearance may give you another piece of the puzzle.
And Then There Is the Cost of Dental Care
This is where I think many families can relate. Knowing that something could potentially help doesn’t mean we can automatically afford it. Dental care can be expensive, and without dental insurance, families often have to make difficult decisions about what needs to happen now, what can wait, and what simply isn’t financially possible.
And that doesn’t just apply to cosmetic dentistry. Routine dental care, fillings, crowns, orthodontics, restorative work, and other treatments can all become financial considerations. For me, that’s an important part of this conversation.
I don’t want to look at a discussion about smiles and aging and pretend that everyone can simply walk into a dental office and have whatever procedure they want.
Real families have real budgets.
Sometimes we’re making decisions based on what our insurance covers—or doesn’t cover—and what we can manage financially. That’s why I think information is important even when we’re not ready to make a decision. Knowing what may be happening with our teeth gives us a better starting point for talking with our dentist and deciding what needs attention first.
Your Smile Is About More Than Appearance
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that my smile isn’t something I want to take for granted. Yes, I care about how my teeth look. But I also care about being able to eat comfortably, take pictures with my family, laugh without thinking about hiding my teeth, and take care of my dental health for the years ahead.
And when it comes to our children, those early dental decisions can matter for their future, too. The idea of a “dental facelift” may be interesting from a cosmetic standpoint, but the bigger reminder for me is much simpler:
Our teeth are part of us, and taking care of them matters at every age.
If you’re noticing changes in your smile, teeth, bite, or the way your lips and lower face look, consider talking with a qualified dental professional about what may be causing those changes and what options—if any—make sense for you.
About Dr. Kooper Ruminer
Dr. Kooper Ruminer is the founder of 405 Dental Aesthetics, a boutique dental practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
405 Dental Aesthetics offers general, restorative, cosmetic, emergency, and sedation dentistry, along with clear aligners, implants, veneers, bonding, crowns, dentures, root canals, gum contouring, and smile makeovers.
Learn more at 405DentalAesthetics.com
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized dental or medical advice. Cosmetic and restorative dental treatments are individual decisions that should be discussed with a qualified dental professional.
Grateful, Thankful Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
