Facial Aesthetics at Nork Way Dental Practice

Our practitioners at Nork Way Dental Practice offer anti-ageing and facial aesthetics treatments. Please speak to one of our team for more information.

Wrinkles and facial lines result from ageing, muscle activity (and over-activity) and your genetic predisposition. In addition, excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, emotional and hormonal influences and smoking can also increase the likelihood of wrinkles. Whilst you may be able to reduce or control some of the factors associated with wrinkle formation you cannot influence all factors and we all develop some wrinkles as we age.

Our dentists at Nork Way Dental Practice can offer professional consultations and treatments to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Our dentists have expert knowledge of head and neck anatomy and physiology together with training in the use of cosmetic treatments, which can subtly enhance your appearance and make you look younger.

If you are interested in talking about skin health treatments, please book a consultation appointment with one of our dentists. Several staff members at the practice have had them and will be happy to talk with you or answer any questions.

WHAT IS BOTULINUM?

Botulinum is a substance that is produced by a bacterium. It is then highly refined, diluted and used in therapeutic doses. Botulinum is administered by injecting it into a specific facial muscle where it acts as a muscle relaxant.

You should not have treatment with botulinum if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, have a neurological disease or known hypersensitivity to botulinum.

WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS TREATMENT?

Anyone can benefit from this treatment, both men and women. Botulinum is most effective in Improving lines or wrinkles due to facial expressions; for example, worry lines or frown lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows.

This is because these lines are usually caused by overactive muscles and botulinum stops these muscles from contracting and causing the wrinkles.

HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?

In most cases the treatment will take between 10 and 20 minutes. Effects will begin to appear very quickly within 48 to 72 hours although the full extent of the treatment may not be visible for up to 10 days. Approximately two weeks after the first treatment, the effects will be reviewed with your dentist and any further treatments or top-ups can be discussed.

IS THE TREATMENT UNCOMFORTABLE?

Very tiny needles are used to inject the medication and only small amounts are used. As a result, any discomfort is usually minimal and short–lived. There is no need for any sedation or anaesthesia.

ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS?

In a small number of cases there may be some localised bruising, slight swelling or redness at the site of the injection. This usually disappears very quickly and can respond to application of a cool pack to the area. A temporary drooping eyelid has also occurred in some patients.

Botulinum has been used in thousands of patients over the last fifteen years. It is made in a controlled, sterile laboratory, it is highly purified and only given in tiny quantities. It has an excellent safety profile and there have been no serious side–effects reported in association with its use.

As soon as your treatment is over you can resume normal daily activities.

DO THE EFFECTS OF THIS TREATMENT LOOK ARTIFICIAL?

No, unlike some surgical face lifts, this kind of treatment is very specific and works on only those muscles that are involved in producing the facial lines that you want to reduce, other muscles are unaffected and this means that your usual facial expressions will be the same.

HOW LONG WILL THE EFFECTS OF THIS TREATMENT LAST?

Initially the improvement that you will receive from this treatment will last from 3 to 6 months, you will notice a gradual fading of effect and at this stage you can return for another treatment if you want to. With repeated treatments, the effect lasts longer.