Best Dermal Fillers for Dental Professionals

David Fuller

Last Updated On: June 21, 2024

Dermal fillers are revolutionizing the landscape of aesthetic dentistry, offering a minimally invasive solution for a multitude of facial concerns. 

From enhancing lip volume to smoothing wrinkles and correcting facial asymmetry, these versatile injectables are changing the approach to facial rejuvenation. 

As the demand for aesthetic treatments continues to rise, integrating the best dermal fillers into dental practices presents an opportunity for dentists to expand service offerings, attract new patients, retain old ones, and enhance their satisfaction. 

Types of Dermal Filler Products Found In Dental Practices

As dental clinics embrace the intersection of beauty and dentistry, an assortment of dermal filler products takes center stage, offering patients options for the best facial fillers that seamlessly complement their dental transformations.

1. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Known for their gradual absorption and reversibility with hyaluronidase, HA fillers stand at the forefront of non-invasive facial rejuvenation, ensuring natural-looking results. 

Ideal for fine lines, under-eye concerns¹, and personalized lip augmentation, these temporary enhancements typically last six months to a year, making them a versatile tool in dental-facial transformations.

Examples: JUVÉDERM®, RESTYLANE®

2. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA):

Ideal for deeper lines and folds, CaHA fillers often outlive even the best hyaluronic acid fillers due to their biocompatible nature, which promotes collagen production and provides longer-lasting (up to 2 years) results.

CaHA’s malleability renders it ideal for sculpting areas like the chin and jawline, while its safety profile minimizes the risk of side effects.

Example: RADIESSE®

3. Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA):

This biostimulatory filler takes a different approach, stimulating the body’s natural collagen production over time, resulting in a gradual and natural-looking improvement.

PLLA excels in addressing volume loss and laxity in areas like the midface and cheeks, offering a long-lasting effect (typically up to 2 years) without compromising natural facial movement.

Example: SCULPTRA®

Understanding nuanced differences between these dermal filler injections empowers dental professionals to confidently select the best-suited type of filler for each patient. 

Top 5 Best Dermal Fillers

Here are the best dermal fillers for dentists looking to improve their practice’ offering.

1. JUVÉDERM® ULTRA 4

• Type: Hyaluronic acid (HA), lidocaine
• Duration: Up to 12 months
• Target Areas: Deep facial folds, lips, cheekbones, chin, jawline

JUVÉDERM® ULTRA 4 is a high-density, cross-linked HA filler specifically designed by Allergan Aesthetics to address deep wrinkles, folds, and significant volume loss in the face, and is often considered to be the best facial filler.

Upon injection into the deep dermis or subcutis, the hyaluronic acid in JUVÉDERM® ULTRA 4 binds to water molecules, providing immediate volumization and hydration.

Its unique gel structure provides superior lifting and sculpting capabilities, effectively filling deep depressions and augmenting desired facial features. In addition, the presence of lidocaine minimizes injection discomfort, enhancing patient comfort during the treatment.

The minimally invasive procedure requires minimal downtime, allowing patients to resume their daily activities quickly.

2. RESTYLANE® LYFT

• Type: Non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA™)
• Duration: Up to 6 months
• Target Areas: Cheeks, smile lines, pre-jowl sulcus, jawline, back of hands

RESTYLANE® LYFT, a hyaluronic acid filler by Galderma, is expertly formulated to enhance midface volume and address facial aging concerns. Its advanced cross-linking technology ensures natural-looking results that last for up to 6 months. 

By targeting the midface, including the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, this filler provides effective lifting and contouring which creates a lifted and youthful appearance, minimizing the appearance of sagging skin. 

The smooth gel consistency and incorporation of lidocaine contribute to a comfortable treatment experience, making it one of the most popular dermal filler products found in dental offices.

3. RADIESSE® (+) 1.5ML WITH LIDOCAINE

• Type: Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), lidocaine
• Duration: Up to 24 months
• Target Areas: Cheeks, nasolabial folds, radial lip lines marionette lines, jawline

RADIESSE® (+) WITH LIDOCAINE, a product from Merz Aesthetics, serves as a noteworthy non-surgical option that hinges on calcium hydroxylapatite to address facial aging issues. The blend of calcium hydroxylapatite facilitates both immediate volume restoration and prolonged stimulation of collagen production, ensuring a natural and sustained outcome for up to 24 months.

The inclusion of lidocaine not only emphasizes the commitment to minimizing patient discomfort but also guarantees a smooth and nearly painless injection process.

RADIESSE® (+) can be used to sculpt and define facial features, such as the jawline and chin, for a more youthful appearance, as well as to effectively address volume loss and visible veins on the backs of the hands, restoring a youthful smoothness and fullness

4. JUVÉDERM® ULTRA SMILE

Type: Hyaluronic acid (HA), lidocaine hydrochloride 

Duration: Up to 12 months

Target Areas: Lips

JUVÉDERM® ULTRA SMILE is a specifically formulated dermal filler designed to enhance the beauty and definition of your lips for up to 12 months after the procedure. 

This injectable gel, composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), adds desirable volume to your lips, addressing thinness and age-related deflation. It can help define the Cupid’s bow and lip borders, creating a more balanced and attractive lip shape while simultaneously providing deep hydration for smoother and softer lips.

Its subtle yet impactful results, make it one of the, if not the best dermal filler for lips.

5. RESTYLANE® DEFYNE WITH LIDOCAINE

Type: Cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA), lidocaine

Duration: Up to 12 months

Target Areas: Deep wrinkles, nasolabial folds, marionette lines

RESTYLANE® DEFYNE WITH LIDOCAINE is a powerful hyaluronic acid (HA) filler designed to address deep wrinkles and folds for a natural-looking, lifted appearance. 

The filler integrates seamlessly with your tissues thanks to Optimal Balance Technology (OPT)², restoring lost volume and delivering subtle yet impactful results without looking overly filled. 

Due to the included Lidocaine, the discomfort during the injection procedure is minimal, and the benefits of reduced wrinkles and improved facial contours can last up for up to 12 months.

Choosing the Right Filler for Your Dental Practice

Selecting the best dermal fillers for dentists is crucial to meet the growing demand for facial aesthetic treatments. 

JUVÉDERM®, RESTYLANE®, and RADIESSE® products stand out as top choices, due to their affordable pricing, and undeniable effectiveness in the hands of experienced practitioners. 

By integrating these advanced fillers, dentists can elevate their practice, offering tailored solutions that enhance patient satisfaction and attract a broader clientele.

References:

1. Peng H-LP, Peng J-H. Treating the tear trough-eye bag complex: Treatment targets, treatment selection, and injection algorithms with case studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Sep;19(9):2237-2245. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13622

2. Fundarò SP, Salti G, Hernandez Malgapo DM, Innocenti S. The Rheology and Physicochemical Characteristics of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Their Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep;23(18):10518. Published online 2022 Sep 10. doi: 10.3390/ijms231810518