When it’s open and bright, it makes you feel better, improves communication and relationships too. It boasts therapeutic powers and even makes you live longer. What is it? A simple smile. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke, as discovered by the researchers of the University of Ganz, in Austria. So it should come as no surprise that 88% of Italians (according to a survey by Astra-Demoskopea) say that they’ll do anything for healthy, white teeth, spending a fortune at the dentist or, even better, in exclusive “dental spas”, where the dreaded appointment with the drill and fillings turns into a relaxing break, thanks to ergonomic chairs, aromatherapy and massages.
Younger teeth
Because treatment isn’t restricted to repairs alone, but involves cosmetic work too, as confirmed by “dental cosmetology”. It comprises non-invasive, pain-free methods which can change the appearance of healthy teeth in just 1-2 hours, without changing their functionality and conformation. The leading treatment is professional whitening (carried out by the dentist) using a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution. More than one appointment may be necessary, depending on the initial colour of the enamel. Whitening isn’t permanent and usually has to be repeated every two or three years. To make it even more effective, it can be combined with the use of a halogen lamp or a dedicated laser. And then there are a whole range of treatments to rejuvenate your smile. Using a drill with special interchangeable tips, the specialist reshapes the tooth where necessary, filling in cracks, gaps or hollows using a compound adhesive, made up of resin and hardening materials. The result is excellent. The patient can monitor the whole procedure, complete with “before and after” photos.
Needling or laser?
Obviously, to complete a beautiful smile, you need to reshape your lips too, smoothing out the contour. This starts with the fine vertical lines on the upper lip, which age the whole face, and are caused by the passing of time, but also – and above all – by smoking (they aren’t called “smoker’s wrinkles” for nothing) and excessive exposure to the sun. If they are superficial, they can be eliminated in two ways: Skin Needling, also known as mechanical bio-remodelling, and the CO2 fractional laser. The first uses the mechanical action of a hand-held device which perforates the epidermis with special microneedles arranged in orderly rows on the surface of cylinders of varying diameters, and stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin. The laser, on the other hand, uses a carbon dioxide beam which acts on the water contained in the cells, vaporising them without damaging or burning the surrounding tissue.
Goodbye to sadness wrinkles
Harder – but not impossible – to treat are what are known as “puppet lines”, which form at the sides of the mouth due to the drooping (ptosis) of tissues due to the force of gravity, making the facial expression look sad and grumpy. They can be improved using the first biodynamic filler or RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid). This is also known as “romantic”, as it is capable of adapting to facial movements and consequently emotions, without affective expressivity. Thanks to Preserved Network technology, it allows considerable softness and elasticity, enabling perfect amalgamation with the natural tissues. Available in four different concentrations, it allows the correction of any type of wrinkle, from those on the surface to deeper lines.
Botox and filler to “cover” your gums
Last, but not least, the solution to a “Gummy smile” that leaves too much gum area visible between the top row of teeth and the upper lip. This time the aesthetic solution comes from type A botulin. Injected into the sides of the nostrils, it temporarily “deactivates” the orbicular muscle of the upper and lower lip. The lip becomes longer and the elevator muscles can no longer lift it completely, reducing unpleasant exposure of the gums. To improve the result, the specialist can combine a hyaluronic acid filler with the Botox, injecting it, again, by the sides of the nostrils. The results last from four to six months, at the end of which both treatments can be repeated.
