Worn Teeth and Wrinkles
What is the relationship between worn teeth and wrinkles?
When teeth become worn down so much that there is no longer enough of the crown left to function properly or support oral structure, it often results in the loss of teeth and, consequently, the loss of facial support as well. Dr. David Peck has observed this phenomenon in many of his patients in Springfield, Massachusetts, wherein worn teeth gradually give way to wrinkles because the inevitable tooth loss causes the cheeks to collapse or become sunken in, and form wrinkle lines at the corners of the mouth. Most people may not know it, but the teeth function more than just to bite, or chew, or flash brilliantly with every smile. They also serve as supporting structures for the lips and the cheeks by making them firm and fuller. They also facilitate the patient’s ability to talk and pronounce various sounds properly. More importantly, they preserve and retain the height of the alveolar ridge and also maintain the patient’s vertical dimension of occlusion.
A full set of teeth maintains the distance between the upper maxillary and lower mandibular regions of the mouth. When worn out teeth are lost and there aren’t a sufficient number of teeth in the mouth to maintain the natural vertical dimension of occlusion, there is a tendency for the mouth to overclose. In addition to that, the patient’s front teeth serve to provide the lips with an ample supporting structure to prop them up and keep them toned and maintain their shape and form. As the patient ages and get worn teeth that eventually fall out, the cheeks will begin to sag so that wrinkle lines will appear at the corners of the mouth, and the lips lose their muscle tone and wrinkles will begin to form on their outer edges.
Is there a way to resolve worn teeth and wrinkles?
To be able to manage the effects of worn teeth and the appearance of wrinkles, dentists often recommend tooth contouring and reshaping to correct minor imperfections in the teeth as they arise, simply by touching up the edges and sharpening the angles of the teeth to make them appear more symmetrical. Porcelain veneers and dental crowns can also be used to restore or augment the tooth’s original structure. Concealing gaps, chips, and stains on the patient’s teeth by using dental bonds or sculpting with a tooth colored resin can dramatically change the appearance of the teeth to make them more attractive and also maintain their structure to keep them from wearing down easily.
