I recently attended the 5th European Congress in Aesthetic Dermatology and Surgery in Anti-Aging Medicine, hosted by the European Masters in Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine (or EMAA) in Paris, France. The conference focused on a plethora of anti-aging information and news in the field, but what I found interesting were the procedures tailored toward dental medicine. Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein that is in fact one of the most poisonous substances known to man! Despite the dramatic definition, the use of very small amounts of this toxin to treat muscle spasms in anti-aging medicine is widespread. Botox relaxes muscle spasms in a way that can reduce wrinkles, by training specific muscle groups to relax and lower tension.  Botox effects wear off between three and six months, and will need to be re-administered to maintain results.

From the dental aspect, Botox can be used to control a gummy smile. Botox relaxes the muscles in a person’s upper lip – known as hyperactive upper lip – which contributes to a gummy smile. When Botox is injected into the muscle group in a person’s lip, the toxin actually relaxes the muscles and restricts the muscle’s ability to overly contract upward thus showing excessive gum tissue . Botox can also be used to control facial muscle spasms that contribute not only to wrinkles and frown lines, but to headaches as well. By undergoing Botox therapy, the muscles in the lips and face can be trained to eventually relax on their own.

Although Botox may sound like a miracle drug for reducing the appearance of gummy smiles, fine lines and even headaches, one must remember that any anti-aging treatment plan is dual-fold: the patient must be committed to their health in order to achieve long-lasting results. Patient compliance is key in any medical treatment plan, but when it comes to anti-aging, a healthy lifestyle can make all the difference in the world. Diet is one of the most important factors in patient compliance. Everyone has heard the age-old saying “you are what you eat,” – it is absolutely true.

A patient who is concerned with his or her physical health and appearance – and is willing to go through Botox therapy to achieve anti-aging results – must realize that his or her diet is vital to achieving long-lasting results. Vegetables, lean proteins and minerals are all vital in achieving healthy skin, bones and organ function. A poor diet high in refined sugars, fat and carbohydrates with poor habits (like alcohol consumption and smoking, staying up late and no exercise) all will contribute to a faster aging process. We all wishto be young and healthy forever – it all starts with healthy choices.

Before Lengthening:

After Lengthening:

Your teeth are secured to your jaw via root structures that extend from the teeth into jaw bone. This bone is protected by the gums,  which extends down over the top of the tooth root structure. Excess gum tissue poses no health risk, but can be unsightly and make your teeth look tiny or not as harmony with your face. Aesthetic crown lengthening remedies this condition by trimming away excess gum (and in some cases bone), reducing the amount of display of gum and lengthening the visible crown of the tooth. Gingival (gum) contouring (like a gingival plasty or soft tissue crown lengthening) refers to trimming of the gum tissue only. Most crown lengthenings refer to the recontouring of both the gum and supporting bone (osseous crown lengthening), when there is more length of the tooth is desired.

Traditionally, crown lengthening is performed with scalpel and mechanical rotary tool which trim and flap open the gum also trim away some bone tissue. This mechanical force results unfavorable inflammatory response of the periodontal tissues  and taking up to 8 weeks to heal. The tissue must fully heal before restorations can take place. This procedure is often daunting to many patients!

Thankfully, new technology in the laser dentistry field has made aesthetic crown lengthening much easier and less invasive. By using a small fiber optic tip,  laser energy can be manipulated to trim or ablate away  tissues , disturbing the surrounding environment much less than traditional mechanical rotary instruments. The less invasive procedure means less pain, quicker healing and less trauma. The body does not react violently to laser treatment as it does blunt mechanical treatment!and often time the restorative work can be initiate quickly or even at the same visit. In some cases,  crown lengthening alone can  get you desirable bigger smile,but often time , the restorative work like bonding, veneers or crowns are called for the needed improvement or protection on dental structure.

When gingival contouring or  crown lengthening is performed – but left with a compromised biological width (2 to 3mm is necessary for safe formation of a protective zone from the gum border to the bone) -  gum tissue will stay inflammed and  grow back after several months. It is important to have an experienced dental professional for proper diagnosis before getting your gum trimmed. Find a dental professional who been properly trained using lasers for a more comfortable surgical experience (www. Laserdentistry.org). The design of the smile and the shaping of the gum line both need an aesthetic touch (apart from solid surgical technique), so it is equally important for  the dental professional  have aesthetic background to assure the best aesthetic result (www. aacd.com).