Facial Aesthetics
Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics
At Abbey Dental Care we offer a range of non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments, and it’s not just about smoothing lines, it’s about enhancing your features in such a way that you look naturally rejuvenated.
Line smoothing, wrinkle reduction and functional treatments using Botulinum Toxin®.
This long established treatment may be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whether it be frown lines, smile or forehead lines and indeed lines around the eyes. They are guaranteed to be effectively softened with minimal intervention.
How does it work?
Botulinum Toxin® works, in essence by causing muscles to relax. This means that it is most effective in softening lines that are most visible when a muscle is active, such as when we smile, frown, or raise our eyebrows.
It can also be used therefore, to strategically relax muscles we either are having symptoms from (e.g. in the case of jaw pain / TMD), or to promote the action of muscles we want to have an effect (e.g. in the case of brow lifting).
What does the treatment involve?
The initial stage is consultation and thorough assessment. Having established your needs and expectations of treatment the administration of the Botulinum Toxin® is relatively quick and your comfort is ensured throughout. Treatment involves a series of very small injections, so small in fact that most patients report a pain free experience.
When will I see the results and how long will it last?
It takes 2-3 weeks for maximum changes to occur however usually some effect will be visible within a few days. Results last, on average 3-4 months, however, with repeat treatments, as the muscles being treated are less active (i.e. getting less exercise) they decrease in bulk and treatments results may therefore begin to last longer or the dose required is reduced.
Are there any risks involved?
At Abbey Dental Care you are in the safest of hands hence all risks are minimised by thorough consultation, assessment and utilisation of the latest and safest techniques. As with all treatments there are some risks involved however these are minimal. The main risk, as with any form of injection is slight swelling and bruising at the treatment site, this is short lived and should not affect treatment results. Occasionally, a slight tingling sensation of the treated area may be experienced, in addition to a light headache or flu like symptoms. Again, this is rare and should not affect treatment outcome. There is also a risk, when treating around the eyes and forehead, that the Botulinum Toxin® solution will affect muscles we do not want it to affect, and this could cause either the eyebrow or the eyelid to drop, and this could cause double vision. Due to our optimal treatment techniques, in addition to thorough planning and post treatment advice the risk of this occurring is very low (reported in the literature to be less than 5%).
Line smoothing, wrinkle reduction and facial sculpting using Dermal Fillers
At Abbey Dental Care we pride ourselves on achieving naturally rejuvenated and beautifully sculpted results utilizing dermal fillers. We don’t just believe in filling lines, we look at why they have formed and re-build structures.
What is a dermal filler?
There are a vast array of dermal fillers available and choosing the right one is the key to success. At Abbey Dental Care we use a range of hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers (Restylane®). Hyaluronic Acid is one of the bodies natural building blocks and is responsible for giving skin such youthful characteristics as elasticity and volume. The hyaluronic acid found in Restylane® differs only slightly from the skin’s own natural hyaluronic acid (~1%) so the chances of an adverse reaction are minimal. It is when substances that are foreign to the body are used that reactions are more likely to occur and hence we do not use the permanent materials of this type.
How do they work?
Dermal fillers work by adding support or volume, for example under a line or wrinkle to lift and soften it. The Restylane® Range used at Abbey Dental Care is available in a range of viscosities or thickness, enabling tailoring of the material to the specific tissue layer in which it is being used promoting the most natural of results.
Full facial treatment is possible, for example:
- Line smoothing / wrinkle reduction
- Lip enhancement
- Heart lips TM
- Corner of the mouth lift
- Cheek augmentation
- Chin augmentation
- Jaw definition
- Tear trough augmentation
- Temple voulumisation
- Non-surgical face-lift
What does the treatment involve?
As with all our treatments the initial stage is thorough consultation and assessment to ensure the best treatment is chosen to suit your individual needs. Following the above, your face is thoroughly cleansed and a topical numbing cream applied to the area being treated. The dermal filler is then carefully placed. Traditionally it would be placed via a series of small injections, and indeed this is still sometimes required. At The Raglan Suite however we pride ourselves on offering the latest, most minimally invasive techniques and hence we place the majority of our dermal fillers using a cannula rather than a needle.
What is a cannula?
A cannula is, in effect, a blunt and flexible tube that can be passed through tissues with the most minimal degree of disturbance. A small entry point is made with the needle and the cannula then passed into the skin and advanced to the area being treated. This means, that rather that a series of entry points (injections) there is only one or two minimizing adverse effects. Once the dermal filler has been placed a cream is applied to moisturize the area and minimize bruising.
How quickly will I see the results and how long will it last?
Results are visible immediately post placement of the dermal filler and it will last approximately 6-12 months, dependent on the material being used and the area being treated.
Are there any risks involved?
As we use a non-permanent hyaluronic based dermal filler, the risks of an adverse reaction are minimal. Inevitably, as treatment necessitates passing a needle or a cannula through skin, bruising and swelling may result. Through the use of our excellent facilities and meticulous technique the risk of infection is also low. It is of course crucial that post treatment advice is followed closely to minimize this risk further.
So…Should I have treatment with Botulinum Toxin® or Dermal Fillers?
The answer to this question is dependant upon a number of factors, for example, your area(s) of concern, expectations of treatment and skin / tissue type. The initial stage is always a comprehensive discussion of these factors, assessment and an explanation of all treatment options. This ensures the most suitable treatment is delivered to meet your unique needs.
