Facial Aesthetics and Cosmetic Dentistry
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- April 11, 2025
When it comes to well-performed cosmetic dentistry, the first place to look isn’t the teeth — it’s the face. That’s because your bite, your jaw, and your teeth all influence how your face looks. One of the most noticeable changes in people as they age is the development of asymmetries in the lower third of the face. These asymmetries are closely tied to perceived attractiveness. Generally, the more symmetrical a person is, the more attractive they appear. And most of our asymmetries develop in the lower third of the face.
When we’re very young, our faces are naturally symmetrical. As we age, that symmetry begins to fade. The upper two-thirds of our face develop early in life and don’t change much over time. These areas also move less, so fewer asymmetries form there. The lower third, however, develops last—right around puberty and during growth spurts—when the body is rapidly changing. And the lower third moves and functions constantly, and unbalanced function will cause unbalanced growth. That’s when many asymmetries start to appear.
Dental work and orthodontics during this growth period can significantly affect jaw development. If someone’s bite is shifted during treatment, the lower third of the face will grow unevenly. Malocclusion—crowded or misaligned teeth—is common, and it throws off the bite, which in turn affects how the jaw and facial muscles grow. Even habits like chewing more on one side or grinding can lead to uneven development in the lower third of the face.
The lower third is often the culprit behind what we think are general facial imbalances. In cosmetic dentistry, one of the main goals is to reset this lower third into its ideal position. The result? A face that immediately appears slightly more symmetrical. And once the bite is properly aligned, the long-term results in even more symmetry as the muscles and bones begin to adapt to the balanced forces.
The teeth and the smile also influence how specific features of the face are perceived. If the front two or six teeth are too prominent, the smile looks narrow. Our eyes are drawn to those teeth, and it causes features like the nose to look larger. By balancing the smile, we can visually minimize the nose without ever touching it. Similarly, if the teeth are longer or if too much gum shows when someone smiles, the lower third of the face can appear longer—even if it’s not. By adjusting the shape and length of the teeth, we can make the face look shorter or longer, softer or sharper, all depending on the desired outcome.
Cosmetic dentistry also plays a crucial role in correcting bites. People with a very prominent chin often have a bite that’s off-balance. Using restorations, we can reposition the bite to reduce tension in the TMJ and jaw muscles, leading to a more comfortable bite and a more harmonious facial appearance. It can even open the airway. For those considering chin surgery, this is the best place to start. Restoring the bite puts the jaw in the ideal place, which often softens the prominence of the chin. Surgery can always follow, but it’s essential to set the foundation first.
The same principle applies to lip volume. If someone lacks lip support—either from aging or natural anatomy—the solution doesn’t always begin with fillers and augmentation. Often, the teeth underneath don’t provide enough structural support. By bringing the teeth into the correct position first, we can restore or improve lip volume naturally. Then, if needed, the plastic surgeon can add further enhancements. But again, the foundation should come first. The deeper structural changes should precede any superficial aesthetic work.
That’s why anyone considering facial cosmetic procedures should evaluate their dental structure first. Cosmetic surgery results are far better when the teeth and jaw are properly aligned, giving the surgeon a stable and balanced foundation to work from.
And this doesn’t just apply to older patients. When we see jaw shifts or bite issues in younger patients, we know those problems will only become more pronounced over time. Addressing them early is the best path to a long-lasting, harmonious bite and facial alignment.
When we align the teeth correctly—taking into account their shape, color, size, and angle—we’re able to add symmetry to the lower third of the face. We can highlight or soften specific features depending on the goals of the case. Whether someone is concerned about facial aesthetics or the effects of aging, the first step should always be to make sure the teeth are in the right place. From there, everything else becomes more effective, more natural, and more beautiful.
Image by David-Jonas Frei from Pixabay
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Dr. Cellars is dedicated to serving his patients and caring for all their individual needs. After graduating from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and working at a private practice in Lancaster CA, he has returned to Southern California and has proudly served the community since then.
