Dentists use dermal fillers on their patients if the goal is to have a full smile makeover. You can be sure that your injections will be accurate. Esthetic dentistry has a variety of dermal fillers based on your needs. The choice of fillers also depends on the location of the injection site. If you want to find out what types of dermal fillers are available to you in esthetic dentistry, here are the facts.
What Are Dermal Fillers and What Are They Used For?
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath your skin to smooth out wrinkles, restore lost volume, and refine your facial contours. These are FDA-approved treatments that work quickly and deliver noticeable results with minimal downtime, often called “lunchtime procedures” for their convenience. When you’re looking to rejuvenate your look or subtly improve certain features, dermal fillers offer a safe and effective option as long as they’re done by a qualified professional. Here are some of the most common uses of dermal fillers:- Smoothing deep wrinkles and folds, like nasolabial lines and marionette lines
- Plumping the lips for a fuller, more balanced shape
- Adding volume to cheeks and temples to lift and restore youthful contours
- Softening under-eye hollows to reduce dark circles and tired appearance
- Enhancing chin and jawline definition for improved facial symmetry
- Camouflaging acne scars or other skin depressions for smoother skin texture
- Correcting facial asymmetries with precise, targeted volume restoration
Can a Dentist Do Dermal Fillers?
Yes, of course! Your dentist can absolutely perform dermal fillers, and in many cases, they’re uniquely qualified to do so. With advanced training in facial anatomy, especially around the mouth and jaw, dentists have the precision and expertise to deliver safe, effective results. Dentists already excel at administering injections, often using nerve blocks to maximize your comfort, which is far beyond what a topical numbing cream can do. They also work in sterile, well-regulated clinical environments so every procedure meets the highest safety standards. In many states, licensed dentists can legally offer dermal fillers after completing specialized training. If you want to get a dermal filler from a dentist, always check local regulations to confirm first or just contact us to get the procedure from our reliable dental professionals.How Do Dentists Do Fillers?
Dentists use dermal fillers on their patients when the goal is to achieve a full and youthful smile makeover. These minimally invasive injections can enhance areas that are often overlooked but essential for a balanced and confident smile. They improve facial features, smooth out wrinkles, and restore lost volume around the mouth. The precision with which dentists deliver these injections yields results that are both safe and tailored to the patient’s facial structure. If you’re getting dermal fillers from a dentist, here’s what the process typically looks like from start to finish:- 1. Consultation and Planning Your dentist will start with a full-face assessment, discussing your concerns, goals, and desired outcomes. They’ll design a custom treatment plan so you can get your ideal smile by the end of the procedure.
- 2. Preparation and Numbing The treatment area is cleansed and sterilized to prevent infection. Since dentists are experts in anesthesia, you’ll often receive a local anesthetic for a more comfortable experience, especially around sensitive areas like the lips.
- 3. Mapping the Injection Sites Your dentist may mark precise injection points, aiming for symmetry and balance when the dermal fillers are applied. These visual guides help create natural-looking and even results.
- 4. Injecting the Filler Using a fine needle or cannula, your dentist will carefully inject the dermal fillers into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, or under-eyes. The filler material, often hyaluronic acid, is placed with precision to restore volume and smooth lines.
- 5. Shaping and Refining Once the filler is in, your dentist may gently massage the area to mold it into place. This distributes the product evenly and adjusts the results.
- 6. Aftercare and Recovery Expect a bit of swelling or redness, which is totally normal after the dermal fillers are injected. Your dentist will give you aftercare tips like icing the area and avoiding pressure or makeup for the first 24 hours.
- 7. Follow-Up Visit You must visit your dentist again to check if your results are on point. If needed, they can make subtle adjustments to refine the outcome.
Different Kinds of Dermal Fillers for Esthetic Dentistry
In esthetic dentistry, there is a wide variety of dermal filler options available, each designed to treat specific areas of the face. The choice of filler and injection site depends on individual goals, skin condition, and the areas most affected by aging or volume loss. If you’re curious about what types of dermal fillers are commonly used in esthetic dentistry, here’s what you need to know:For The Cheekbones
As we age, the fat pads in our mid-face area begin to shift and shrink, causing the cheeks to sag and the nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth) to deepen. This change can create a tired or sunken appearance. Fat resorption due to aging exacerbates the loss of volume, making facial contours less defined. To counteract this, dentists use dermal fillers to restore volume to the cheekbones. Strategic injections in this area provide a lifted appearance, rejuvenate the mid-face, and soften deep smile lines. These fillers are usually composed of polylactic acid or hyaluronic acid—two biocompatible substances that stimulate collagen production and attract moisture to the skin. Patients appreciate cheek fillers for their quick recovery time, non-surgical approach, and long-lasting results, which can range from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the product used.For The Lips
Full, well-shaped lips are often considered a key part of a beautiful smile. However, aging, genetics, and lifestyle factors can lead to thinner lips, fine lines, and volume loss around the mouth area. Lip augmentation with dermal fillers is a quick and effective way to enhance lip fullness and redefine lip borders. Dentists typically use hyaluronic acid-based fillers, which work by retaining moisture and plumping the tissue naturally. These fillers not only make the lips look fuller but also correct asymmetry, improve definition, and reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines. Results are visible almost immediately, and most patients enjoy a plumper, more youthful smile for up to six months before needing a touch-up.For The Chin
A well-proportioned chin enhances facial harmony and complements a beautiful smile. Dermal fillers can be used to reshape the chin, correct mild deformities, or add projection—without the need for surgery. Dentists carefully inject fillers such as calcium hydroxylapatite or hyaluronic acid into the chin area to improve its length, width, and profile. This treatment can also help in achieving a more defined jawline or correcting an under-projected chin. One of the biggest advantages of chin fillers is that the procedure is quick, requires no incisions or anesthesia, and causes minimal discomfort. The results can be quite dramatic and long-lasting, with some fillers maintaining their effect for up to three years.For Marionette Lines
Marionette lines, or the deep creases that run from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin, are a common concern for many adults. These lines can give the appearance of sadness or fatigue, even when you feel the opposite. To smooth these folds and rejuvenate the lower face, dentists use hyaluronic acid fillers, which plump the skin and fill in volume where it’s been lost. In some cases, a combination approach is used—fillers for horizontal lines and Botox for vertical or deeper-set wrinkles. The treatment is relatively simple and minimally invasive, offering immediate results with little to no downtime. By addressing marionette lines, patients can restore a more cheerful, youthful expression that enhances the beauty of their smile.Best Dermal Fillers for Esthetic Dentistry
Choosing the right dermal fillers for dental esthetics comes down to your unique facial features and treatment goals. Here are five of the most trusted and effective options your dentist might recommend:- 1. JUVÉDERM® A go-to for lip enhancement and smoothing perioral lines, JUVÉDERM offers several formulas like Ultra, Ultra Plus, and Volbella. These hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are smooth, versatile, and reversible, perfect for natural-looking volume that lasts 6 to 12 months.
- 2. RESTYLANE® Known for its flexibility and control, RESTYLANE works beautifully for nasolabial folds, lips, and midface support. It uses advanced cross-linking technology to provide results that feel and look incredibly natural.
- 3. RADIESSE® Made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), RADIESSE is ideal for deeper facial folds and jawline sculpting. Aside from filling up problem areas, it also stimulates collagen, offering lift and structure that can last up to 18–24 months.
- 4. SCULPTRA® Unlike traditional fillers, SCULPTRA uses poly-L-lactic acid to gradually rebuild facial volume. It’s great for long-term rejuvenation, especially in the midface, with results that unfold subtly over time and can last up to two years.
- 5. Belotero® Balance For delicate areas around the mouth, Belotero is a standout. Its lightweight HA gel blends seamlessly into fine lines, delivering precision and smoothness where it matters most.
