Does having a dental block before getting filler distort your face or affect getting the filler in any way?

Hey JanniePooh and thanks for your question- 

Great question! There are several things at play here and there are different approaches to it as well. 

1. The amount of anesthesia to perform a dental block is small. The block is also performed from usually 4 small injections in the mouth (2 for upper lips and 2 for lower lips). The injection can make the lower cheek just lateral to the nose swell- that's where we're injecting--- but the lips themselves should remain normal. 

2. many injectors mark the lips with pencils- the markings are done prior to injection so there is zero distortion. 



Trust you lips to an experienced injector who you trust!

Hope this helps and God Bless!

Dr. Robb

I haven't done a dental block before filler in more than a decade. That is, as we say, very "old school". There are newer, more advanced techniques available, using microcannulas to deliver filler to the lip and perioral region, that make dental blocks ENTIRELY unnecessary. 

Best,

Lisa Vuich, MD

Having a dental bock performed before lip filling is used to decrease the lip's sensitivity to the multiple injections required to adequately contour the lip. Depending on the volume and type of anesthetic used during the dental block, you may notice a slight  asymmetry to your face after the 'numbing' kicks in. This is temporary, and a qualified injector will still be able to fill and sculpt the face appropriately. A 'crooked smile' after a dental block will usually subside in a couple of hours, and does not directly affect the volume of quality of filler. If the asymmetry persists beyond a day, you should return to your injector for follow up.