Here’s an interesting statistic: cosmetic dentistry has grown by 200% since 1996. No wonder it is considered the fastest-growing field in the dental industry. Additionally, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry revealed that teeth whitening treatment has grown by a whopping 300%.
Nowadays, people have easy access to various cosmetic dentistry procedures. Thanks to breakthrough innovations, fixing a smile is no longer as complex as it was many years prior. Also, in the past, you would have to wait for days to see results. Nowadays, the outcomes are almost immediate.
New trends in cosmetic dentistry employ state-of-the-art procedures designed to enable comfortable, seamless, and superb treatments. The use of lasers in a vast array of cosmetic dentistry treatments has also become widespread. Undoubtedly, it has become a massive game-changer.
Cosmetic Dentistry: 5 Biggest Trends to Look Out For
Below are five of the biggest trends in the world of cosmetic dentistry:
1. Smile Makeover
A smile makeover combines several cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental implants, dental bonding, veneers, and teeth whitening. As the name suggests, a smile makeover is done to revamp the smile by removing teeth discoloration, replacing a missing tooth, or bridging gaps between the teeth.
When doing a smile makeover, some of the components that are considered include facial appearance, hair color, skin tone, lips, gum tissue, and the width, length, shape, and color of the teeth. A cosmetic dentist will work closely with you to design a treatment plan to help you achieve what you want.
2. Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening will never go out of demand. However, this time around, many patients go for the natural-looking white teeth, not the overly white ones that people have had the past few years. Apart from looking fake, super white teeth are perceived as heavily treated.
Patients also now have the option to avail of laser whitening. Otherwise known as power whitening, laser whitening is another type of teeth whitening system dentists can now provide. A bleaching product is painted onto the patient’s teeth, and a laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. The process often takes an hour.
3. Gum Contouring
For patients who are self-conscious about their gumline, gum contouring can help. Also known as gingivoplasty or gingival sculpting, this procedure is done to reshape the gumline. In some instances, gum contouring is recommended, especially if the gum issue can affect the patient’s oral health.
The gum contouring process involves removing or cutting away excess gum tissue around the teeth. For patients with gum recession, the procedure will involve restoring the gum tissue. In most cases, gum contouring is considered an elective procedure.
4. Dental Veneers
Dental veneers (also known as dental porcelain laminates or porcelain veneers) are custom-made, wafer-thin shells of tooth-colored materials. They are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. The shells are bonded to the front of the teeth to change their shape, size, color, and length.
Getting a dental veneer will typically require multiple visits to the dentist. One tooth or several teeth can undergo the veneering process simultaneously. Dental veneers can mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.
5. Dental Implants
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. They provide a robust foundation for permanent (fixed) or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants are also designed to match natural teeth. Amazingly, dental implants have a very high success rate of 98%.
Dental implants provide many advantages that are hard to match. For starters:
- Better appearance
- Improved speech
- Easier eating
- Improved self-esteem
- Durability
- Convenience
- Improved oral health
Final Thoughts
New cosmetic dentistry trends are designed to have a lasting impact on your smile and, ultimately, your life. It is reassuring to know that regardless of what you don’t like about your smile, there’s likely a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can help you fix it so you can achieve the smile you have always wanted.
Dr. Megan Peterson Boyle is the lead cosmetic dentist with Dental Studio 101 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is focused on providing anxiety-free cosmetic dentistry services including Invisalign, dental implants, dental crowns and cosmetic fillings. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and family.
