Hyaluronic acid injections at the dental practice
in Levallois-Perret, near Paris

In some cases, dental care alone is not enough to restore the overall balance of the smile. The lips, the nasolabial folds and the structures around the mouth play a part in how the dental result is perceived and in the harmony of the lower face. Hyaluronic acid can then bring the teeth into harmony with these surrounding structures, within a considered therapeutic approach, for a more coherent and natural result. It is a complement, never a stand-alone procedure.

Dr Bruno Abehassera holds a University Diploma in Hyaluronic Acid Injections for therapeutic purposes (Diplôme Universitaire, Université d'Évry, 2023), a course specifically designed for dental surgeons. This university training governs the practice of injections in the area around the mouth, in accordance with article R.4127-218 of the French Public Health Code. The procedures are carried out within a strict, safe and personalised medical framework, consistent with the comprehensive smile care offered at the practice in Levallois-Perret.

It is a medical procedure with a cosmetic purpose. The injected hyaluronic acid is a CE-marked medical device, administered by a qualified healthcare professional in strict compliance with the ethical framework. The purpose is cosmetic - restoring volume, supporting the tissues, harmonising the smile - but the procedure is a regulated medical practice, governed by the French Public Health Code and the Code of Ethics for Dental Surgeons.

Yes, but within strictly defined limits. Article R.4127-218 of the French Public Health Code authorises dental surgeons to perform hyaluronic acid injections only in the mouth and the area around the mouth - lips, nasolabial folds, marionette lines - in connection with dental function and the harmony of the smile. Areas of the face outside this scope (cheekbones, temples, under-eye hollows, forehead) fall under aesthetic medicine and require a specialised doctor. This distinction helps ensure patient safety.

At the practice, three areas around the mouth are treated: the lips (adding volume, redefining the outline, vermilion), the nasolabial folds (the hollows between the nose and the mouth) and the marionette lines (downturned corners of the mouth). The choice of hyaluronic acid gel depends on the area, the injection depth required and the cross-linking suited to the target tissue. The deeper and more structural the area, the higher the cross-linking of the gel used.

Discomfort is generally moderate and well tolerated. An anaesthetic cream is applied to the skin 15 to 20 minutes before the injection. For the lips, which are particularly sensitive, local anaesthesia by infiltration may be offered - it removes sensation, but can slightly reduce dynamic precision during the procedure. The hyaluronic acid gels used also contain 0.3% lidocaine built into the product, which gradually reduces discomfort as the injection progresses.

The result is visible immediately after the injection, but it evolves over the following 7 to 14 days: the post-injection swelling goes down, the gel integrates into the tissues and the final volume stabilises. The aim is never to change the features of the face but to restore balance: redefining a lip outline, supporting an area that has sagged, harmonising the lower face with the restored smile. A well-injected patient does not look "transformed" - they look rested and coherent.

On average 6 to 9 months, sometimes longer depending on the area, the patient's metabolism and the product used. Hyaluronic acid is a biodegradable substance that the body gradually reabsorbs. It is therefore not a permanent treatment: maintenance sessions can be considered once or twice a year to maintain the result. This gradual reabsorption is an advantage in terms of safety: if a result is not right, it fades naturally over time.

Like any medical procedure, hyaluronic acid injections carry risks, but they remain rare and well documented when the procedure is performed by a trained practitioner. Common, minor side effects are bruising, swelling or redness at the injection site, which subside within a few days. Rare complications (granulomas, vascular necrosis, infection) are minimised by a rigorous injection technique, strict asepsis and traceability of the product. Every risk is discussed with the patient at the prior consultation. In the event of a serious complication, immediate referral to a specialised doctor is arranged.

The main contraindications are pregnancy and breastfeeding, active autoimmune diseases, anticoagulant treatment (to be adjusted), an active skin infection at the injection site, a history of allergy to any component of the product, and certain skin conditions (lupus, scleroderma). A prior consultation makes it possible to assess these contraindications, review the patient's medical history and decide whether the procedure can be considered safely.

For 24 to 48 hours after the injection: avoid strong sun exposure, sport, saunas, hot baths, alcohol and massaging the treated area. For 7 days, avoid aggressive cosmetic treatments (peels, laser) on the area. Applying cold locally during the first few hours reduces swelling. Do not touch or press the injected area. A check-up appointment may be offered after 1 week to confirm the result is stable. If you notice any unusual side effect, contact the practice immediately on +33 1 42 67 05 04.