Face Lift Alternatives - Malibu, CA

Face lift surgery - a procedure that is expensive and involves some measure of pain, discomfort and risk - has nonetheless historically been the choice of Californians wishing to delay the visible signs of aging. After undergoing such a procedure, many choose to follow this up with a dental makeover.

The Anatomy of a Face Lift

Those who seek face lift surgery are usually unhappy with some aspect of their appearance that in addition to such age-related issues such as wrinkles and sagging, may also involve the underlying facial structure. In some cases, this structural issue is the basis for this desire to undergo a face lift procedure.

Often, these issues are related to the mouth and jaw. Over the years, teeth become worn and damaged through grinding (bruxism), neglect and sometimes injury. This in turn can cause teeth to become shorter and/or misaligned, resulting in a diminished smile and shorter face.

What many of Dr, Sam Muslin's patients discover after undergoing makeover dentistry is that many of these reconstructive and restorative procedures actually make plastic surgery unnecessary. In the two photos at the right, you can clearly see the difference that cosmetic dentistry can make. The patient in this case was so pleased with the results from Dr. Muslin's cosmetic dental treatments that she decided plastic surgery was no longer needed.

The "Dental Face Lift"

This patient contacted Dr. Muslin, complaining that she looked and felt much older than here actual age; she didn't like the way she looked when smiling and after a number of unsatisfactory treatments by other "cosmetic dentists," had decided that plastic surgery was the answer.

This patient had not realized that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty by the Board of Certification; anyone with a DDS degree and a license to practice dentistry can legally call him or herself a "cosmetic dentist."

Dr. Muslin's credentials, training and experience helped to convince this woman to give reconstructive dentistry one more try.

By showing and explaining the high-resolution images made of her dentition, Dr. Muslin was able to help the patient in seeing and understand the changes that expert dental restoration would produce for her. By addressing not the outer skin, but the underlying structure. the patient could enjoy fuller lips and a broader smile.

Physiological Indicators

Over time, normal wear on teeth result in a shift in the alignment of teeth - which in turn cause a change in the patient's bite.

Not only does this cause the face to shrink and lips to appear thinner, it can also lead to serious tempro-mandibular joint (TMJ) issues that can cause pain in the head, neck and even shoulders.

In the case of this particular patient, Dr. Muslin determined that by "raising" her bite, normal alignment of the teeth (or occlusion) would have the effect of lengthening her face and supporting her lips in a way that would restore their original attractiveness.

This was accomplished through the use of specially made crowns and other materials. In order to minimize the chances of error, Dr. Muslin employed CAT scans of the patient's head throughout the process, consulting these images as necessary.

The Result - a Celebrity Smile

As you can see, the results were amazing.

The patient now has a fuller, more appealing smile; the realignment of her bite lengthened here face by a full half-inch.

She is no longer embarrassed to show her teeth, and the entire process has made her look years younger.

How Dental Reconstruction Nullifies the Need for Plastic Surgery

The close-up photo below shows where underlying problems were located. Dr. Muslin uses such images as an educational and counseling tool in order to help the patient in determining his/her personal dental goals.

For a consultation with Dr. Muslin, call (310) 829-6796 to schedule an appointment.