Everyone wants a bright smile and even, white teeth, so it’s hardly surprising that cosmetic dentistry procedures are becoming so popular across the world, with all age groups. Not everyone is blessed with a perfect set of pearly whites, but as with other cosmetic enhancements, the only limit to how your smile looks is your own imagination!
For dental care professionals, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest developments in dentistry, whether it’s a new restorative procedure or a cosmetic one. Whether you’re considering improving your appearance or want to offer patients the latest in cosmetic dentistry, here are 5 trending treatments to keep an eye on:
Teeth Whitening Treatment – Even with regular cleaning, flossing and dental checkups, your teeth can get discolored over time. The reasons for tooth discoloration range from diet and lifestyle habits to age and wear.
No matter how it happens, stained teeth look very unappealing. Teeth whitening treatments have been very popular throughout the ages, and while there are home-based treatments available, cosmetic dentistry generally offers better results.
Dentists can prescribe a bleaching solution along with custom-fitted trays for use at home, or perform the whitening treatment at the clinic. It’s best to get professional guidance for the length of time the tray should be kept in place, precautions after bleaching, etc.
Dental Bonding– Also known as tooth bonding, this procedure is typically conducted to cover flaws on the tooth’s surface, or to fill gaps between them. It’s also a great way to cover up stains and discoloration on the tooth’s surface.
Tooth bonding can help with a wide range of cosmetic issues like cracks or chips in teeth, imperfectly shaped/uneven teeth, broken teeth, teeth of uneven lengths, etc. A composite resin material is bonded directly to the surface of the tooth, and this can be colored to match your natural tooth color perfectly.
Unlike teeth whitening procedures that only offer temporary results, this offers a permanent cosmetic solution for severe staining/yellowing of teeth. It also preserves more of your natural tooth structure than other cosmetic solutions like veneers and crowns.
Whole Mouth Reconstruction– Along with cosmetic changes, dental professionals may suggest other treatment to correct issues like over- or under-bites, improper tooth alignment, muscle disorders, imperfections in tooth or jaw structure, etc.
When functional problems are corrected at the same time as aesthetic ones, it allows for whole mouth treatment to be planned more efficiently. This can reduce the possibility of future dental health issues, cut down treatment time and aid with faster recovery as well.
With modern advancements in the field, dentists have access to materials and technology that make dental treatment easier, faster and more painless than ever before. These materials are also more durable, natural-looking and long-lasting, so patients can enjoy a beautiful smile along with perfectly functioning teeth for life!
Smile Makeovers– This is a highly customized and intensive cosmetic dentistry solution that’s taking the dentalworld by storm. It basically focuses on designing someone’s smile exactly the way they want it, and then planning one or more treatments that can help make it a reality.
Unlike whole mouth reconstruction procedures, a smile makeover focuses purely on the aesthetic value of dental treatment. This treatment involves a combination of multiple cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, implants, gum sculpting, etc.
Typically, the first visit is where the dentist and patient discuss the kind of smile the latter wants and how far that can be achieved. Then, there may be one or more visits for the actual treatment itself, depending on how much smile enhancement is required, the patient’s tooth structure and oral health, etc.
3D Tooth Printing – It may sound like science fiction, but 3D tooth printing has already become a reality. Using CAD/CAM software for 3D modelling, scanners and blocks of ceramic dental material, dentists have been able to create new teeth that are precise, custom-fitted and colored to look just like natural teeth.
At present, 3D tooth printing is still too expensive and time-consuming for most people to consider, but advancements are being made every day. It’s quite possible that at some point, this will become the tooth replacement technology of choice for most dental care professionals.
This is one of the latest innovations in the field of cosmetic dentistry, so there are still questions about its durability and longevity, but we’re sure to see some exciting updates on this front in the near future!
Other trends in modern dental materials, equipment and diagnostics aim to make both restorative and cosmetic dentistry faster, more effective and as pain-free as possible. Looking at how far we’ve come already, these are interesting times for the dental community!
Author: Dr Amruta Patel is a warm and compassionate dentist caring for the community of San Antonio, TX. Dr. Patel attended Marquette University, where she received both her dental degree and her bachelor’s degree.
She practices at All About Smiles, where she provides cosmetic braces, endodontic treatments, implants, and veneers, as well as basic general dental services. During her consultations, Dr. Patel fully explains patients’ conditions and helps them choose an appropriate treatment plan. Outside of practicing dentistry, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.