"Many patients wonder why their faces age," cosmetic oral surgeon Dr. Kourosh Maddahi recently told an online media outlet. "As people age, their upper lips appear thinner while the lower lip seems to shift position. What causes this change? It's primarily due to alterations in the teeth's supporting tissues over time, which often lead to facial hollows and perioral wrinkles."
While plastic surgeons or dermatologists may address these concerns with injections of Botox, hyaluronic acid, or collagen, Dr. Maddahi asserts that dental work can also improve many individualized facial issues.
This procedure provides more robust support to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, helping to rejuvenate the appearance of aging facial features when smiling—much like lip augmentation.
"Since lips actually rest atop the teeth, improper dental curvature can distort lip shape. When lips appear unusually thin, it's often because teeth protrude too far from the lip line," Dr. Maddahi explains. "Combining crowns with tooth contouring can lift teeth, thereby reshaping both dental structure and the overlying lip area."
Some experts recommend addressing oral issues first for optimal results before any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Once significant improvements are achieved through oral treatments, further facial enhancements can be considered using Botox, Juvederm, or other injectables to refine the eye and forehead areas.