Last year, I got All-on-4 implants placed at a large dental implant practice. Since the surgery, my face seems to have lost support. My cheeks are hollow, my skin sags, and my upper lip now looks downturned. I’ve also noticed less fullness under my eyes, a longer-looking space between my nose and upper lip, and a change in the shape of one nostril.
These changes were evident right after surgery. I haven’t been able to get a clear explanation from the practice. Can you explain what might have happened during the implant procedure to cause these changes? I’ve had so much anxiety over my facial appearance and have wasted so much time with the dental implant practice. Is it too late to correct the damage? Thanks. Milan from TX
Milan,
While we can’t determine exactly what happened without examining you or reviewing your records, your concerns are understandable. Your experience also illustrates how closely dental treatment and facial appearance are connected.
When missing teeth are restored properly, the lips and cheeks get better support, often creating a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Should an Implant Denture Make You Look Older?
All-on-4 dental implants
A well-designed implant-supported denture should restore facial height and support your lips and cheeks. If your restoration isn’t providing enough support, however, your face may not have the fullness you expected.
In many cases, changes to the denture design can make a meaningful difference in facial appearance.
Can Bone Reduction Affect Your Facial Features?
During implant surgery, your dentist may reshape portions of the jawbone so your prosthesis fits properly. In the upper jaw, this work is performed very close to the base of your nose.
If a significant amount of bone was removed in that area, it could potentially contribute to changes involving your upper lip or nose. Determining whether that happened would require a clinical examination along with a review of your records and imaging.
What Are Your Options for Facial Changes After Getting Implant Dentures?
The first step is to ask for a thorough evaluation of both the surgery and your dentures.
Changes in your appearance can affect your confidence and quality of life, so it’s important to discuss them openly. Before assuming nothing can be done, it’s worth finding out whether you can improve without additional surgery.
Topics that may be helpful to review include:
- Whether your dentures adequately support your lips and cheeks
- Whether increasing the vertical dimension would improve facial balance
- Whether a wider arch form would provide better facial fullness
- Whether remaking your dentures could improve the overall result
If excessive bone reduction contributed to the changes you’re experiencing, rebuilding that bone may be challenging. Even so, redesigning or remaking your implant-supported dentures may improve facial support. If you still have concerns after discussing them with your treating dentist, an independent second opinion from an experienced implant dentist or dental implant specialist (periodontist) can help you better understand your treatment options.
Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post.
