The cosmetic surgery industry is forever changing and exciting developments are happening all the time. However, cosmetic dentistry is also having a huge impact on anti-ageing treatments with many dentists offering anti-ageing treatments, but can they give you a face lift? If so how?
The Hennessy Lift
Cosmetic dentist, Dr Stephen Hennessy, has created a new technique, the Hennessy Lift, which uses fillers to lift the corners of the mouth and fill out the furrows leading to the chin that create an ‘unhappy’ and ageing look.
Traditionally, when correcting a down-turned mouth, a large volume of filler would be injected into the whole area, often resulting in the famous ‘chipmunk’ cheeks. The new technique involves injecting only once at a specific angle to the corner of the mouth so that the filler can, in effect, act as ‘scaffolding’ to prop up the corner of the mouth. The results are more effective and more natural looking, and as less filler is used it’s also more cost effective.
The Hennessy Lift costs from £250 (www.thecosmeticclinicat.co.uk)
The Oralift
Created by cosmetic dentist, Dr Nick Mohindra, the Oralift is, in simple terms, an anti-ageing brace. Looking rather like a gum shield that fits over the lower back teeth, the Oralift separates the teeth by an amount much greater than their usual resting position, thus building and maintaining muscle tone and volume in the face. Each appliance is tailor-made and is worn for an average of two hours, three times a week for four months initially, and then for two months, twice a year.
So how exactly does it work? ‘Because the appliance is bigger than the space that is created when your mouth is in a relaxed position, when the lips are put together the brain sends messages to the muscles and they have to rest in a different position,’ explains Dr Mohindra. ‘Activity starts to take place in the muscles, collagen is reorganised and the muscles lengthen, similar to when we exercise. It also causes micro-trauma to occur in the muscles. When healing occurs more collagen is produced, and this healing can continue for up to ten months after you have stopped wearing the Oralift’.
Studies have shown that the Oralift does in fact, work, and the changes can be immediate. ‘Stress, diet, environmental factors all continue to attack the body, but this really can help reverse the damage’, says Dr Mohindra. ‘It works on every part of the face including the shape, complexion, eyes, lips, jowls and neck. The ‘Oralift effect’ changes the face all over, and creates a more lively, happier looking face. Many of my patients say they look better ten years on than before they came to see me.’
The Oralift costs from £575 to £2,500 (www.oralift.com)
