Fillers
Facial fillers consist of injectables such as collagen, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyl apatite that rejuvenate facial skin. Their primary use is to enhance lips, raise scar depressions, eliminate wrinkles and replacing soft-tissue volume loss through facial injections.
Our skin becomes more susceptible to sagging and wrinkles as we age. The daily acts of smiling, squinting and chewing along with prolonged exposure to sun and years of muscle movement contribute to tissue breakdown.
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We use facial fillers for temporary to long-lasting solutions. These fillers are administered through a few tiny facial injections on specific areas of the face. Various types of facial fillers are available and each is designed with one or several purposes, such as wrinkle reduction and lip augmentation. Facial fillers will volumize creases and folds in the face in areas that have lost fat and collagen as we age.
Our face starts to lack volume and signs of aging begin to appear with deeper folds, lines and lips can start to thin and turn down in the corners of the mouth. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are then injected underneath these folds to replace the volume lost which creates a younger look in the face. Dermal fillers can be used for high lip line cases, asymmetrical lips around the mouth, lip augmentation, and completing cosmetic dentistry cases by creating a beautiful, young-looking frame around the teeth.
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Dermal Filler Options
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Juvederm Facial Filler is made of a hyaluronic acid gel, Juvederm is a naturally-occurring substance in the skin that contributes to volume and hydration. Juvederm is designed to temporarily correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Juvederm is made by Allergan, the same makers of Botox.
Restylane Facial Filler is a non-animal, biodegradable gel composed of hyaluronic acid, Restylane is a soft tissue dermal filler that adds volume to the skin through tiny injections; smoothing facial folds and wrinkles in areas around the mouth and eyes.
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Collagen is a soft-tissue dermal filler made from purified cow skin used to fill wrinkles, lines, and scars on the face. Collagen is a naturally-occurring protein that supports various parts of the body, including skin, tendons, and ligaments; it will eventually absorb into the body.
Sculptra is an injectable made of synthetic polylactic acid contained in microspheres, Sculptra is the first FDA-approved injectable for the restoration of lost facial volume (correction of lipoatrophy) in people with HIV infection.
Captique is utilized for filling moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, is a soft tissue filler that adds volume to certain areas of the face; derived from non-animal-based hyaluronic acid.
Hylaform is used to fill moderate to severe wrinkles around the nose and mouth, Hylaform ® is a dermal filler that has been chemically modified from hyaluronic acid; designed to temporarily smooth the surface the skin.
​Radiesse is a synthetic dermal filler made of calcium hydroxyapatite is utilized for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. This injectable is a longer-lasting filler because the body forms collagen around the microspheres; adding bulk to the injected areas.
Timing and side effects
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The average length of filler injections is about 30 to 40 minutes per session, depending on the individual and the amount of areas being treated. Some of the most common side effects include: allergic reaction, bruising at injection site, numbness, and temporary redness, swelling, pain/tenderness, or discoloration. Dermal filler injections require very minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to work and their normal activities directly following treatment. Yet for the first 24 hours, individuals may be instructed to refrain from strenuous activities and excessive sun or heat exposure. Some of the risks of facial injections are lumps (granulomas/nodules) which are a potential risks associated with Radiesse, Sculptra, Juvederm, and ArteColl.
Results
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In general, the results from most injectable fillers are temporary; commonly lasting from a few months to about a year. This depends on the type of facial fillers or filler injections used. For optimal results, additional treatment sessions are encouraged. A facial filler or injectable fillers treatment entails a series of tiny injections under the skin’s surface – at the subdermal-dermal levels. The amount administered depends on the depth and size of the skin defect or wrinkle. With the evolution of facial fillers and injectable filler it would be great resource to add to your dental or medical practice.