How do aging teeth change the face? 
Over the past 32 years I have seen how my patients’ teeth cause aging of the face. There is a natural phenomenon called “mesial drift” in which the teeth drift forward creating crowding of the front teeth and a gradual narrowing of the smile. This results in an increase in overlap of the teeth and a shortened face. The face develops jowls and the lips thin. Patients feel their lips are thinning and they no longer see their teeth when they smile. Compounding the problem, natural wear of the teeth results in the loss of enamel, causing the teeth to darken and wear away quickly once the soft dentin substructure is exposed. Slowly the chin gets closer to the nose resulting in sags, thin lips, and a squashed, wider face. This collapse pushes the tongue into the airway and can result in sleep apnea.

What can be done to reverse this aging process? 
I perform a procedure I call the “dental non-surgical facelift”. I return the youthful facial dimensions by resurfacing the teeth with beautiful porcelain. This process is determined with computer technology and can include minimal drilling of the teeth. We also use a laser to tighten the soft palate by growing collagen. I use lasers inside the mouth to stimulate collagen in the lips and folds between the nose and chin. The face is now balanced and slim, with the return of support to the lips and tissues of the face. The icing on the cake is the beautiful smile. Patients no longer hide their teeth and look as young as they feel. 

Dr. Jill Morris has been in private practice for 32 years. She is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics. She graduated from the College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry, receiving doctor of biologic dentistry and naturopathic physician degrees. World Class Dentistry® was founded in 1987. Together the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Jill Morris and Dr. Burr Bakke offer innovative, customized treatments ranging from implant surgery and prosthetics to cosmetic dentistry, laser periodontal treatment, adult and children nontraditional orthotropic orthodontics, and holistic dentistry. Two of their children will join their practice as dentists and another as the founding dental technician for the on-site laboratory, Higher Aesthetics.

About Dr. Morris

• Accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry 
• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics 
• D.M.D. , University of Florida College of Dentistry 
• Naturopathic Medicine degree

Contact

(941) 451-5810

Location

3951 Swift Road Sarasota, FL 34231

sarasotadentist.com