Dental Facelift Removes Years

So-called dental facelifts, where the height of the teeth are altered using a plastic pivot, can make you look up to 20-years younger without having to undergo plastic surgery, say researchers. A survey assessing patients who had opted for a dental facelift revealed that almost 80% of patients were pleased with the results. Furthermore, an independent panel said that 80% of patients looked between 5 and 20 years younger after opting for the non-surgical alternative.

Technically, the dental facelift, or added dimensional dentistry (ADD), is classed as a mandibular repositioning technique, which simply means that it alters the position of the jawbone. To achieve this repositioning, the patient is fitted with a plastic pivot device called an ADD Facial Rejuvenator, which "retrains" the muscles of the jaw to the new height. After two to six months the plastic pivot is removed and the teeth are capped to increase the height of the jaw permanently. Dr Nick Mohindra, the man behind the facelift, describes his technique as, "an exciting development in the field of cosmetic medicine."

The procedure is commonly used as a treatment for migraines, neck and back aches, however patients began noticing that their appearance took a turn for the better as well. A quarter of those involved in the study reported a reduction in the loose skin above the upper eyelid and a decrease in fatty deposits underneath the lower lid. However, improvements in the appearance of the nose, cheeks, lips, and skin were also reported. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: "As an extra bonus patients found they got anti-aging side-effects."

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 9th February 2002