Cosmetic Surgery

Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift)

Eyelift surgery, or blepharoplasty, is performed to improve the appearance of drooping eyelids and/or puffiness or bags around the eyes. A blepharoplasty may be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or all four lids. The procedure serves to remove excess fat, muscle, and skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance

Cheek Augmentation

Cheek augmentation is performed to enhance cheek projection and improve facial proportions and esthetics. It is performed through incisions hidden in the mouth and utilizes either alloplastic materials (cheek implants) or a bone graft. This procedure may be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Forehead Lift / Brow Lift

The brow and forehead areas are often the first to show signs of aging. Sun, wind, and gravitational forces cause the skin to lose its elasticity, leading to wrinkling and a perceived heaviness in this region of the face. A forehead or brow lift is one option for minimizing the effects of these changes in your appearance. The procedure is performed by tightening the skin of the forehead and removing excess skin, thus reducing wrinkling and minimizing the appearance of “drooping brows.” In some cases, the surgeon may remove a portion of the muscle that causes these vertical wrinkles. The goal of surgery is a smoother, more youthful appearance. While the average age range for this procedure is forty to sixty-five, it is often considered at an earlier age.

Genioplasty (Chin Augmentation)

Chin augmentation, known as genioplasty, enhances chin projection and improves facial proportions and esthetics. The procedure is performed through incisions hidden in the mouth by using either alloplastic materials (a chin implant) or by creating a bone cut in the chin and sliding the chin forward (osteoplastic genioplasty).

Rhinoplasty (Nasal Surgery)

Surgery to correct the appearance of the nose, rhinoplasty, has been performed for many centuries. The nose is the most defining characteristic of the face and even a small change can drastically improve a person’s appearance. The patients at Texas A&M College of Dentistry often choose to have other facial cosmetic surgery procedures performed in conjunction with rhinoplasty.

There is no ideal nose. The most important consideration is creating harmony with the other features of the face. There are many important factors that must be considered prior to undergoing rhinoplasty, including skin type, ethnic background, and age. We do not perform rhinoplasties on patients until they have fully grown which, in most cases, occurs around the age of fifteen or sixteen. The exception to this rule is if breathing is severely impaired.

Rhytidectomy (Facelift)

Aging of the face is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin of the face and neck begin to loosen. Crow’s feet appear at the corners of the eyes. Fine forehead lines become creases and then, gradually, deeper folds. The jaw line softens into jowls and vertical folds appear at the front of the neck. Heredity, personal habits, the pull of gravity, and sun exposure all contribute to the aging of the facial skin. Taking this into consideration, it is obvious why rhytidectomy has become the third most desired facial plastic surgery procedure.

As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Understanding the limitations of rhytidectomy is crucial and psychological stability is vital. There is no ideal in a facelift. Rather, the goal is to improve the overall facial appearance. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, basic bone structure, as well as the ability to have a realistic expectation of results, are factors that should be explored prior to surgery. This procedure is sometimes performed on patients in their thirties, and successful surgery has been performed on patients in their eighties. A facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it “turn back the clock.” What it can do is help your face look its best and provide a healthier and more youthful appearance. Increased self confidence is often a benefit of a rhytidectomy, as well as all other facial plastic surgery procedures.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery technique which involves the removal of fat cells through a steel tube called a cannula. Liposuction is a highly effective contouring technique.

Non-Surgical

We provide a number of non-surgical cosmetic treatments to help our patients quickly and easily achieve excellent esthetic results, and to augment any of the previously described aesthetic procedures.

BOTOX® Cosmetic

We provide BOTOX® Cosmetic to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and other common signs of age. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a dilute, purified form of Botulinum toxin, which is an extremely effective muscle relaxant. Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is a toxin, there are little to no serious side effects. When BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into the superficial muscles of the face, it relaxes these muscles and prevents the wrinkle lines caused by squinting, frowning, and raising our eyebrows. Our surgeons utilize BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce fine lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows and in the forehead, as well as to reduce lines at the corners of the eyes, commonly known as crow’s feet. BOTOX® Cosmetic is used only in the areas of the face around the eyes and forehead, so as not to affect a person’s smile. It is important to understand that BOTOX® Cosmetic is temporary and only relaxes the overall facial muscles that cause wrinkles. After treatment, most patients’ skin feels normal and they experience normal sensations in all treated areas. Muscles that are not treated and related to other expressions are not affected. Most patients see results within four to five days and the effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts, on average, for three to four months.

Glycolic Acid Peel

By removing the damaged outer layers of skins cells from the face, a glycolic acid peel can help create smoother, more evenly toned, skin. The precise strength of the treatment can be adjusted to meet each patient’s individual needs at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Although not a substitute for cosmetic surgery, a glycolic acid peel can provide a dramatic esthetic result.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion gently removes the outmost layers of dead skin cells to expose those which have not been damaged by everyday environmental factors. Microdermabrasion is performed through the spraying of microcrystals, which removes dead skin cells and promotes the development of new cells to achieve younger looking skin.

Obagi Blue Peel®

The Obagi Blue Peel® system is a TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) treatment which offers fast, dramatic results. Obagi Blue Peel® solution can be administered at a strength pre-determined to meet each patient’s individual needs. The treatment successfully improves the appearance of scarring and discoloration by removing dead skin cells and helping new, more vibrant skin to take its place.

Restylane®

Restylane® is an injectable treatment designed to slow the effects of aging by filling in lines and wrinkles. Restylane® is a gel that is composed of hylaluronic acid. Restylane® is non-animal-based and biodegradable and the hyaluronic acid it contains closely resembled the body’s own hyaluronic acid.