MEDAESTHETICS INTRODUCTION: A UNIQUE YET PERFECTLY NATURAL COLLABORATION

As one of the core values of my dental practice is facial esthetics, it is only natural that a discipline complementary to dentistry would come into play. When working to improve the smile, what else can I do for a patient aside from maintaining or creating an impeccable dentition? The answer for me was: simple yet very powerful facial aesthetic procedures, performed by a highly trained professional.



So, rather simple and non-invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, or Latisse really do make such an impact! I am very excited to be able to offer these types of procedures in our office. Of course I may be a little biased, but I must say that he is incredibly talented and patient (even with a demanding and difficult patient such as myself).

You are invited to speak with him, find out what you may or may not benefit from. Without further ado, I will let him elaborate on what MedAesthetics is all about in the paragraphs below.

Welcome to MedAesthetics!

Andreea Larhs, DDS


MEDAESTHETICS AND THE “SOFT FACIAL LIFT”
Please click the links below to be taken directly to the topic.

ARE WE TOO CONCERNED WITH OUR APPEARANCE?

THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN ADVANCED DENTISTRY AND MEDAESTHETICS

THE “SOFT LIFT” - THE CORNERSTONE OF MEDAESTHETICS

LIST OF BOTOX AND DERMAL FILERS APPLICATIONS

EXPECTATIONS

BENEFITS OF BOTOX AND DERMAL FILLERS

THE PRODUCTS

ABOUT THE PHYSICIAN

PROCEDURES AND FEES


ARE WE TOO CONCERNED WITH OUR APPEARANCE?
Our facial appearance is a first impression in any social setting. It is the visual business card at a job interview. It is the self we see daily in the mirror. We do want to look our best! Are we the victims of our vanity, of cultural misperception, the cruelty of time gone by, of our own insecurities? Maybe the answer is not that simple and definitely not trivial. We prefer (or better said – desire) to project the reflection of someone that represents the way we truly feel inside, vibrant and alive, not tired, aged or angry. Our physical appearance affects our mood, mood that is central to how we apply ourselves towards our everyday objectives. Our relationships, personal and professional, affect our internal sense of happiness and communication is seldom solely verbal. To look our best is to feel our best and this desire is as defining as our enjoyment of life in general.

THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN ADVANCED DENTISTRY AND MEDAESTHETICS
MedAesthetics is a side branch or adjunct to Advanced Dentistry at Century Square. It came about from the desire to optimize or better stated, to further enhance the cosmetic results provided by modern dentistry. A repaired chipped tooth, teeth realignment, whitening, veneering or even implants result in a more beautiful, inviting smile. MedAesthetics applications could further correct a gummy smile, an asymmetric mouth, downturned, angry looking, aged mouth corners, soften the smokers lines above the upper lip, redefine and enhance thin or aged lips, soften the sagging deep folds that course from the nasal tip to the corners of our mouth, or correct the sag in one’s chin profile.

THE “SOFT LIFT” - THE CORNERSTONE OF MEDAESTHETICS
There are several approaches to facial aesthetics that address pigmentation, texture, the prevention or the treatment of wrinkles, the correction of contour or volume, treatments ultimately aimed at improving the facial aesthetics and expression. These methods range from the least invasive (i.e. diet or creams) to the most invasive (surgery). MedAesthetics specializes in what has been referred to as the “soft lift”. It is minimally invasive so patients can resume their normal activity with no down time, it provides concrete results following therapy (not a promise with continued use or with results in months), it is adaptive in the sense that it can be easily adjusted to produce the desired results from one treatment to the next (inclusive of full return to the initial pre-treatment appearance if so desired) and it is financially positioned to where it is affordable on any budget.

In essence the treatment consists of a no cost, no obligation consultation with the medical doctor. The goals are presented, the treatment plan is formulated together with you, the patient and the results are explained. Medical history is reviewed for possible contraindications.

As part of the aging process there is less collagen and hyaluronic acid to support and fill the layers on your skin. Repeated facial muscle contractions result first in expression lines and later into permanent deep wrinkles. Pollution, stress, sun exposure and smoking can all increase or accelerate these effects. The three D’s of aging have been defined as “deterioration” (fine lines, wrinkles and texture changes), “descent” (droopiness or sagging skin) and “deflation” (loss of fullness or volume). A “soft lift” if achieved from the careful application of Botox and dermal filers. Botox works as a muscle relaxant with the net result that smoothes away wrinkles. Dermal fillers, made of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally found in the body, further soften deeper or permanent wrinkles by restoring lost volume. It is the refined combination of these two procedures, many times within the same region of the face, that produces a synergistic effect to restore a most truly natural younger appearance, an appearance that can be sustained longer and achieved with the most economical use of product.

LIST OF BOTOX AND DERMAL FILERS APPLICATIONS
View illustrative examples by clicking the cases marked in purple.

• Volumetric surgical lift obtained from the synergistic effect of Botox and dermal
   fillers injections [1] [2] [3]

• Forehead lines ( frown lines ) [1]

• Medial brow lift ( serene, relaxed rather than angry, upset look ) [1]

• Lateral brow lift ( arched eye brows laterally, a desired feminine look ) [1]

• Bunny lines ( fine wrinkles along the superior nasal alae ) [1]

• Deep eye trough ( small depression below eye socket that portray a tired look )[1] [2] [3]

• Crow's feet ( wrinkles lateral to the eye socket ) [1]

• Prominent nasolabial fold ( accentuated laugh lines from nostrils to mouth corners ) [1] [2]

• Lip rejuvenation ( reinforce contours, augment or obliterate Cupid's bow, extend volume
  laterally, re-create lost volume ) [1]

• Smokers lines ( fine, at times deep upper lip wrinkles, more prominent in smokers ) [1]

• Gummy smiles ( hyper elevation of the upper lip with over exposure of the gum line ) [1]

• Down-turned mouth corners ( sad look appearance ) [1]

• Marionette lines ( wrinkles from the corners of the mouth towards chin that result in an aged,
  sad like appearance ) [1] [2]

• Chin dimpling ( wrinkled, "peach core" appearance of the chin, augmented with lip pursuing )

• Jaw contouring ( correct sag in the anterior medial jaw contour )

• Neck bands

• Lax earlobes with earring hanging

• Headaches from severe teeth clenching / hypertrophied mastication muscles [1]

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive axillary, palmar and plantar sweating)

• Aged back of hands appearance

• Scarring [1]

EXPECTATIONS
Botox results may last between 4 to 6 months following the initial treatment. Subsequent use will eventually require less product and the effects of treatment may last longer as the muscles involved in producing the unwanted facial expression become less active from prolonged relaxation.

Dermal fillers may last anywhere from 9 months to 18 months. This wide variation reflects the influence the local milieu has on the product injected – the filler will last longer in a static area (such as the area below the eyes or tear troughs) than in an area with a lot of mobility (such as the mouth region).

The simple act of injecting the filler (a minor trauma in itself) further stimulates the local natural collagen production that is a much-wanted secondary effect. Fillers are hydrophilic (attract and bind water) and become more voluminous and smoother in texture within few days after the initial treatment.

The synergistic effect in combining these two procedures (Botox and fillers) results from the fact that a wrinkle may be formed in part from the continuous muscle tension (blocked by Botox) and partially by the age related collagen loss (replaced with the dermal filler). Moreover, by reducing muscle tension, the longevity of filler in the skin is extended.

The possible applications span several decades in one’s life. In the younger patients (late twenties or early thirties) Botox is preventive to the development of wrinkles, may correct a gummy smile, bunny lines, chin dimpling, achieve the desired eye brow arch or correct facial asymmetry that results from one sided muscle hyperactivity; may further aid with the management of headaches or jaw pain from clenching and grinding. Fillers will produce the desired lip shape and fullness. In the forties the accent is to soften the crow’s feet, the “worried” look from forehead lines and the nasolabial folds; also to correct the subtle hollowness that results in the tired look from the early volume loss within the eye troughs or within the medial, central aspects of our cheeks. In the fifties and beyond the applications are tailored towards generalized volume augmentation with dermal fillers, further enhanced through the muscle relaxation from Botox injections. Down-sloping mouth corners (sad face) may be reversed, the jaw can be re-contoured; lips can be filled back to their youthful shape.

BENEFITS OF BOTOX AND DERMAL FILLERS
• Outpatient procedure, brief (30 – 60 minutes).
• Minimally invasive (local anesthesia / acupuncture-like fine needles).
• Virtually no downtime (minimal make up / ice packing).
• Complications may be mild bleeding and / or bruising.
• Unwanted results could be reversed / ultimately disappear in weeks.
• Repeated applications require less product / the results last longer.
• Immediate results. Natural look.
• Much less than the cost of surgery.

THE PRODUCTS
Botox
What is it? It is a purified protein that temporarily produces muscle relaxation. It is injected at very specific sites so that muscles that create wrinkles (or pain – from clenching / grinding teeth) are relaxed. The effects last for 4-6 months initially, with this period growing longer after subsequent use.

Dermal fillers
What are they? Are made of different formulation of hyaluronic acid that is normally found in our skin. There are several types on the market: Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane, or Ethelis. Each has a specific properties and applications; the physician will help determine which one is best for each patient.

Latisse
What is it? This is a topical (applied superficially) medication that promotes the growth of thicker, darker and longer eyelashes.

PROCEDURES AND FEES
• Consultations are complementary and allow you, the patient, the opportunity to explore the treatment modalities that may benefit you the most. Photographs are taken pre and post therapy to allow for objective results assessment. All new patients will be asked to return within two weeks of treatment to assess response and results.

• Our fees are based on the quantity of product injected. (i.e. the number of Botox units and/or the number of syringes of dermal fillers injected). The association with Advanced Dentistry provides for significant benefits – the cooperation of both a dentist and medical doctor to optimize your smile / facial appearance, a single familiar, modern setting where the assistants are cross trained and understand the interaction of the two specialties, a significant reduction in the overhead costs for MedAesthetics, value that is then passed to you the patient.

• Occasional specials or manufacturers’ discounts are available. Please inquire for fees and physician availability at: 206-292-9900 or by writing to scheduling@drlarhs.com. You may send photos with specific questions directly to Dr. Larhs by emailing alarhs@drlarhs.com.