Over the years, our mouth and face also show the signs of the passage of time: dry mouth, tooth surface wear, receding gums, color changes... A series of symptoms that affect us both aesthetically and functionally.
The most common case is the loss of one or several teeth, which in addition to altering our image makes it difficult for us to eat normally, which affects our digestive system, forcing it to work more than necessary. In addition, the absence of teeth leads to bone loss that accelerates facial aging.
What exactly does facial aging consist of?
When we lose bone density, the structure of our face is altered and the skin loses consistency. This is reflected in different symptoms that affect the whole facial expression and age it.
1. Wrinkles form around the mouth
It is usually the first change, and the most obvious. Bone loss affects the vertical dimension of our face, from the base of the nose to the chin. When the maxillary bone decreases, and therefore the vertical dimension, the fold at the corner of the lips increases, which causes the well-known and feared wrinkles around the mouth to appear.
2. Lips become thinner
Over time, naturally, fullness in the lips and tone in the facial muscles are lost. When there is also a lack of bone, the lips fold and wrinkles form.
3. The nose looks bigger
When the upper lip sinks due to the absence of teeth and/or bone loss, it causes the nose to visually appear larger. In the event that the depression occurs in the lower lip, it will cause the chin to appear more pointed.
4. Facial expression is altered
If one or several teeth are missing, the maxillary bone decreases or atrophies, causing the corners of the lips to curve downwards, causing an expression of sadness. This is what is known as the expression or “puppet sign”.
How do implants help slow down facial aging?
More and more people are choosing to replace missing teeth through dental implantology. Dental implants allow us to recover the aesthetics and functionality of the mouth to be able to eat, drink, speak and laugh normally.
In addition, since they are placed in the maxillary bone and act as artificial roots, once the implant is made, a osseointegration process It helps preserve bone.
Thanks to the implants, and the movement and force we use when chewing, bone growth is stimulated and the density and volume of the surrounding bone are preserved. In addition, they prevent the loss of the gums, as long as they remain healthy. Therefore, by not losing bone, we stop the different effects of facial aging.
At the Ahoa Clinic we provide the most appropriate solutions for each case. We have a specialist in Aesthetic Medicine who can help you improve all those aspects that need aesthetic reinforcement, both the lips and the perioral tissue.
Also, with some good oral hygiene habits, regular visits to our dentist to prevent the onset of periodontal diseases and a healthy and balanced diet will help delay the signs of facial aging.