What are your options for facial rejuvenation?

You might think you need a facelift or neck lift when you actually may just need filler and Botox or vice versa. What are your options for facial rejuvenation? The most commonly sought-after procedures include eyelid rejuvenation, facelifts after age 50 and the use of facial fillers and Botox when there is no facial skin sagging or jowling.

Is eyelid rejuvenation right for me?

Eyelid rejuvenation, also known as blepharoplasty, is a common area of the face that patients request to refresh first. Eyelid rejuvenation usually precedes a face and neck lift or can be done at the same time. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and as you age, that window will start to show severe signs of aging. Loss of volume in the face leads to sunken eyes and sagging skin that was never there before. Since your eyes are the most prominent feature of your facial structure, it is vital, when considering eyelid rejuvenation, that you do not change the appearance of your eyes too dramatically. We cannot overemphasize this concept enough because excessively slanting or making your eyes smaller with surgery will forever change how you look to yourself and to others. The goal is to look like yourself only better.

Is a facelift what I need?

Facelifts, also known as rhytidectomy, is sometimes required to correct sagging facial skin. There are many different techniques used to accomplish a facelift. We cannot stress enough the importance of choosing a real board-certified plastic surgeon who is a true expert and who specializes in facial rejuvenation when considering a facelift. Facial rejuvenation is so much more than just a facelift, and when done correctly, facial rejuvenation focuses on facial harmony. To maintain facial harmony, often facelifts are accompanied with eyelid surgery and filler to restore the eyes, bring back the natural jawline and reestablish fullness in your cheeks.

Do I need Botox?

Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport and Xenomin are agents that block muscular nerve signals, which in turn weakens the target muscle limiting or nullifying muscle contraction. The action of Botox, in turn, results in diminished unwanted wrinkles in the target area. Botox has multiple uses and can be used to treat crow's feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, skin bands on the neck, etc. When considering plastic surgery procedures to address the effects of aging, you should always work in close partnership with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the aging process. You need an expert that can help you determine if neuromodulators are appropriate to correct lines and wrinkles or if a more invasive procedure is necessary.

Do I need fillers?

As we age, our bodies naturally lose fat. This is especially evident in the face. Fat loss is especially apparent in the hollowing of the eyes and cheeks. Soft tissue fillers help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by adding volume and fullness back to the face. Most fillers such as Restylane, Voluma or Juvéderm work by replenishing the hyaluronic acid levels in your skin and pulling in moisture from the body to add to its plumping and smoothing effect. These safe, degradable hyaluronic acid fillers are helpful at reducing early signs of aging such as plumping thin lips and softening facial creases and wrinkles.

When should you have facial rejuvenation?

As with any elective medical procedure, you should only undergo facial rejuvenation when you are in good health physically, psychologically and mentally. When deciding to have plastic surgery, you want to make sure your body and your immune system are in good shape to minimize the risk of complications. Facial rejuvenation is not advisable if you have any significant underlying medical issues, and especially if you smoke.

For your safety, we cannot stress enough the importance of discussing your goals with us and can therefore perform the correct anti-aging surgical procedure that will restore your youthful face.

What You Need To Know About Peg Teeth

Do you have small, pointy teeth on either side of your front teeth? Good news: you’re (probably) not a vampire.

Those small teeth are called peg teeth. The condition is caused when adult teeth don’t develop normally – or at all. In some cases, a peg tooth may be a baby tooth that was never replaced by a permanent tooth. In other cases, typically when the tooth is noticeably pointy and is cone-shaped, it’s a hereditary condition.

Should I be worried about having peg teeth?
From a dental standpoint, peg teeth typically don’t cause oral health problems such as a misaligned bite or shifting the position of other teeth. Occasionally another tooth will erupt underneath – or even inside of – a peg tooth. If the peg tooth or surrounding teeth are painful or sensitive, or if your gums are tender or sore, check in with your dentist. He or she will probably x-ray your teeth to see if there are any structural problems that are causing the discomfort.

Usually though, peg teeth tend to be a cosmetic issue. If you’re not happy with the appearance of your smile, ask your dentist what treatments are available to enhance the appearance of your teeth.

Cosmetic dental treatments for peg teeth
Depending on the shape and size of your peg teeth, a dentist can use composite resins, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns to remodel your smile.

Resins, sometimes called “dental bonding,” are often used to restore chipped teeth. Your dentist will apply a tooth-colored composite material made of plastic resin and glass to your peg teeth to build up their size until they match your other teeth. The composite starts out as a liquid, which your dentist paints on to your broken tooth and then hardens with a curing light. Several layers of this material are often applied to give your tooth the right translucency and shape. The process is painless, and local anesthesia is not usually needed. The bonding material is fairly durable, but can chip off over time. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions closely to keep your bonded teeth intact and healthy.
Veneers are super-thin coverings affixed to the front surface of your tooth. It’s a more complicated and permanent restoration than bonding. First, your dentist will shape and prepare your peg teeth using a dental drill. Next, a model of the affected tooth and the teeth around it is made, using a putty-like impression material, or with a handheld digital scanner. The veneer will likely be made by a dental lab, though some dentists can make veneers right in the office. If a lab is involved, your dentist will place a temporary veneer on your tooth while you wait for your permanent veneer to be made. The veneer covers your teeth, creating the appearance of a normally-sized tooth. Veneers tend to be pretty resilient, but they can chip and fall off – especially if the underlying tooth suffers from decay, is damaged or is very small.

Crowns are more complex than resins or veneers. A crown for a peg tooth will cover much or all of the existing tooth. Your tooth will be reshaped so the cap will fit properly, and a local anesthetic is usually necessary for your comfort. After the tooth- is prepared, the dentist will make a model of your bite, send it to the lab that is making your crown, and give you a temporary crown until your permanent crown is made. Dental crowns are extremely lifelike and strong, resistant to stains, and can be expected to last for years.

Does dental insurance cover the cost of fixing peg teeth?

Unfortunately, unless your peg teeth need to be fixed for oral health issues – your bite is being affected, or you can’t chew or speak properly, etc. – chances are the procedure will be classified as cosmetic. And most dental insurance policies do not cover cosmetic procedures.

Lip Fillers for every age

Lip Fillers for every age

For Patients in Their 20s:
Patients in their 20s most often have issues of genetic lip imperfections like asymmetry, thin lips, a gummy smile or their expression might appear sad or angry. “It’s really about enhancement, patients this age tend to love the look of fuller lips says our expert. Ensure they look proportionate to the face. I look at the whole person sitting in front of me to bring balance to the entire face. Sometimes the most important decision I make is what NOT to do. I always seek a natural look that will be barely noticeable to all but the patient.”

    

In Their 30s:
Lips are at their fullest at the ages of 16 to 18. In the 30s, a fairly noticeable thinning begins to happen. “At this age the biggest issue is the loss of collagen and elastin, which results in thinning and drying of the lips. “Lip lines, which are caused by a combination of sun exposure and the natural aging process, can also appear. Increased muscle activity from daily facial expressions also contributes to upper lip wrinkles. I look to fill the lighter wrinkles so that they don’t become ingrained into the skin and inject a small bit of filler into the lip to retain its fullness.”

In Their 40s:
Patients in their 40s may experience even more drying and thinning of the lips. “In the 40s, the area around the lips, such as nasolabial folds (laugh lines) and oral commissure (corners of the mouth) also change, They may become deeper and more pronounced, so that area needs to be treated as well to support the lips. The overall expression of the patient appears to change. So for patients in their 40s, it’s all about restoration. I use fillers to not only maintain lip fullness, but also to diminish wrinkles that have already begun to set in.”

In Their 50s:
For patients in their 50s, our  approach is to look at the overall facial structure. “Often, a loss of collagen, fat and bone in the mid-face will greatly affect the shape of the mouth. For these patients, the distance of white between the nose and the vermilion border at the top of the upper lip gets longer, so a lot of times the Cupid's bow and the philtral columns (the vertical grooves above the upper lip) are created to restore the youthful anatomy of the lip. Through the artful application of fillers and neurotoxins to these areas, the natural shape and volume of the lips can be restored

Adult orthodontics ?

A great-looking smile is a sure way to boost self-confidence and orthodontic treatment can even enhance an adult's career opportunities and social life. There are potential health benefits as crooked teeth are more difficult to clean effectively, setting the stage for tooth decay and gum disease. Crowded teeth also tend to worsen with age and become even more.. so …there are many reasons to consider orthodontic treatment at any age.

A lot has changed since you were a teenager in terms of the orthodontic appliances themselves. Clear braces can sometimes be used instead of the metal ones, and are less visible. Invisible clear aligners are also appropriate in many cases for rapid alignment of front teeth.
These newer appliance options have increased popularity for adults orthodontics with most reporting that they are very happy with the results. So remember that when it comes to straightening teeth, there is no age cut off. If a better smile is something you really want, schedule a consultation at our clinic to discuss your treatment options.

What will determine if you are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment, then, will not be your age; it will be your current state of your gums and what type of problem you are trying to fix. Gum disease, which is the cause of bad breath and loss of tooth-supporting bone, is more prevalent in adults than in adolescents. Orthodontic treatment works by gently moving teeth within the bone that supports them and orthodontic treatment in the presence of gum disease can aggravate the disease and make it worse. While gum disease does not preclude successful orthodontic treatment, it is essential that any existing gum disease be treated first.
If you are interested in orthodontics or other options for your smile please book a consultation at clinica dental la plaza, Javea  96 646 1120.
Article supplied by Dr Karen Gardner ,dentist and orthodontist

Fear of the dentist?

Many people feel nervous or afraid of visiting the dentist, but there are things you can try to help overcome your fear.

We have been treating patients on the Costa Blanca for over 23 years and understand any fears or anxieties our patients may feel.

Visit our surgery to have a look around, meet the receptionist and dentist and see the environment. Tell us that you're anxious and what your fears are, so we know beforehand.

Pick an appointment time early in the morning so you have less time to dwell on it. The first appointment will simply be a check-up so don't worry about having any treatment. See this first visit as your chance to get to know the dentist.

Take a friend with you to your appointment. The dentist won't mind if they accompany you throughout the check-up or treatment.

Agree a sign with the dentist to signal that you need a break and want them to stop. It can be as simple as pointing your finger, and will help you feel more in control.

If you think it will help, start gradually with a clean and polish then work up to other treatments, such as fillings, once you've built up trust and rapport with your dentist.

Talk to the dentist about using a numbing gel if you have a fear of needles.

Use headphones to listen to music during your visit. It may help you relax.

Some people find simple inhalation sedation very helpful to relax them for dental treatment. This is a bit like gas and air given during childbirth, but instead of being delivered through a mask it comes through a nosepiece.You might also be given sedative tablets to take by mouth before your appointment.

If you're extremely nervous you may prefer sedation through an injection into your hand or arm (intravenously) during treatment. The drugs won't send you to sleep – you'll be awake and able to talk to the dentist – but they'll calm and relax you so deeply you probably won't remember much of what happened.

Revitalise your skin with Dermaroller

Revitalise your skin with Dermaroller 

Do you buy fancy expensive rejuvenating face creams ? Which at best have very little

true effect ?..............then welcome to DERMAROLLER-collagen induction therapy by

microneedling. Now is the time of year for skin rejuvenation when the weather is cooler

and sun-damage is minimal. From age about 35 onwards ( and in some people before) the quality of our skin starts to diminish due to the effects of the sun, lifestyle or flagging hormones. Dermaroller is with-out doubt very effective at countering this trend. Natural and safe, it is effective at stimulating your own skins` power of rejuvenation thus increasing production of:

• New cells in general
• Stem cells
• Tiny blood vessels
• Collagen

In what is effectively a global skin reconstruction/renewal process.

Dermaroller is also used for ....

•  Acne scars
•  Pigmentation
• Scars 
• Aged skin
• Stretch Marks
• Large pores
• Fatty skin

During the treatment the skin is rolled excessively with microneedle roller, after applying a surface anaesthetic gel for 45mins. The fine Dermaroller needles are designed to give maximum stimulus at the optimum depth to promote such .Deeper Skin peels are now somewhat contraindicated as they attempt to destroy theouter most protective layer of your skin. In contrast the dermaroller stimulates a highly constructive influence from the deeper layer of skin which later shows on the skin surface. The first dermaroller treatment can achieve a 40% skin improvement and subsequent treatments 20%. A maintenance session can be done yearly.In addition it can be complement with mesotherapy for a greater effect – themesotherapy will add essentials factors and hyaluronic acid which supplies the skin with rejuvenating nutrients. It goes without saying that sun protection , a healthy diet/ lifestyle and safe natural hormone supplents where appropriate all have their own positive effects on the skin.

Be warned...

Cheap copies of dermaroller can be found but they can and may cause scaring due to poor/inadequate quality design and orientation of the needles.Dermaroller is a medical skin treatment and should be undertaken professionaly with a top quality dermaroller

Article supplied by Dr KAREN GARDNER, from Clinica Dental la Plaza, JAVEA

If you have any questions regarding this article please call 96 646 1120 for an

appointment or visit website www.clinicadentallaplaza.co

Skin Cancer and feet- What to look out for

I have talked befor about dermatology and feet but with the summer now passed I thought I would be a bit more specific and talk about skin cancer and feet. Here in Spain feet particually the tops of feet get a lot of exposure to the sun. But intrestingly with feet it is not always about sun exposure, skin cancers on the soles of feet are not uncommon. Skin cancers of the feet, however, are more often related to viruses, exposure tochemicals, chronic inflammation or irritation, or inherited traits. Unfortunately, the skin of the feet is often overlooked during routine medical examinations, and for this reason, it important that the feet are checked regularly for abnormalities that might indicate evolving skin cancer. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list but just some of the common ones. Squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common form of cancer on the skin of the feet. Most types of early squamous cell carcinoma are confined to the skin and do not spread. However, when advanced, they can become more aggressive and spread throughout the body. This form of cancer often begins as a small scaly bump which may appear inflamed. Sometimes there is a history of recurrent cracking or bleeding. Occasionally it begins as a hard projecting callus-like lesion. Though squamous cell cancer is painless, it may be itchy. Squamous cell cancer may resemble a plantar wart, a fungal infection, eczema, an ulcer, or other common skin conditions
of the foot.

Basal cell carcinoma frequently is seen on sun-exposed skin surfaces. This form of skin cancer is one of the least aggressive cancers in the body. It will cause local damage but rarely spreads beyond the skin. Basal cell cancers may appear as pearly white bumps or patches that may ooze or crust and look like an open sore. On the skin of the lower legs and feet, basal cell cancers often resemble non-cancerous skin tumors or benign ulcers.Malignant melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers. This type of skin cancer must be detected very early to ensure patient survival. Melanomas may occur on the skin of the feet and on occasion beneath a toenail where they are sometimes mistaken for ingrown toe nails.. They are found both on the soles and on the top of the feet. As a melanoma grows and extends deeper into the skin, it becomes more serious and may spread through the body through the lymphatics and blood vessels. A good guide to detecting Melonomas anywhere on the body is ABCD. If you notice a mole, bump, or patch on the skin that meets any of the following criteria you need to seek advice immidiatly.

● Asymmetry - If the lesion is divided in half, the sides don't match.
● Borders - Borders look scalloped, uneven, or ragged.
● Color - There may be more than one color. These colors may have an uneven
distribution.
● Diameter – The lesion is wider than a pencil eraser (greater than 6 mm).
 
One of the many good reasons to visit a podiatrist.
Philip Mann Podiatrist/Chiropodist