All you need to know in your search for the perfect smile

A little history of cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry dates as far back as 700 BC when dentures were made from bone and ivory. The Egyptians, who are known to have had one of the most elaborate of early civilizations, used gold for dental bridges and crowns to replace missing teeth.

In the 1700s cosmetic dentistry experienced a renaissance and there were a lot of developments; key among them was the use of dentures made from porcelain. Another key development was the use of plaster molds which helped dentures fit better.

The American dentist, Newell Sill Jenkins (1840-1919), is regarded as the founder of aesthetic dentistry as we know it today. He came up with the Jenkins porcelain enamel, which proved to be the missing link in the renaissance of cosmetic dentistry. The Jenkins porcelain enamel is used for dental crowns and bridges as well as porcelain paste and inlays.

Cosmetic dentistry is for everyone

Dentists have a much larger scope of patients to take care of now, with everyone going for the smile of a movie star. Aesthetic dentistry is a go-to for a lot of people even for the slightest fixes. The field has expanded and is now able to correct virtually every flaw that can hinder you from getting the perfect smile. The practice also incorporates new ideas such as dental fillings made of porcelain. Before, decayed teeth would be covered by gold or amalgam dental fillings which could visibly be seen on the tooth, but this is no snag if you are using porcelain filings. As a matter of fact, people are going back to the dentist to have their old dental fillings removed for newer ones that match the color of their teeth.

If you look through celebrity photos before and after cosmetic procedures for the different dental treatments they have undergone you will realize that the perfect smile has nothing to do with natural looks. This is reinforced by our ways of life. There are many influences that over time erode the charm of your younger days and thus cracks, chips, misalignments, and others spoil your once inviting smile. Owing to the flood of people looking to reclaim their smiles, aesthetic dentistry has grown into a field with a lot of new techniques.

Trends in aesthetic dentistry

A lot of the procedures applied in aesthetic dentistry are simple ones that take a matter of minutes or hours to complete. There are a few more compound procedures though, which need extra oral care.

New practices are always cropping up granted the field deals with appearance, which is an ever-changing ideal. Cosmetic dentistry has been around for millennia now. From times when animal bones and seashells were used for teeth, today’s new techniques in this field are centered around simpler, less invasive procedures that do not interfere much with the patient’s daily life. In addition to this, the new techniques are made to be as painless as possible as well as fast. Most of these techniques have slipped into popular culture and have become almost like fads. Cosmetic dentist has a lot of tools at their disposal now and a clientele with fanciful demands that always push for precision.

One thing that has brought cosmetic dental procedures to the limelight over the years is cosmetic surgery, which has taken the world by storm. The two go together as one creates the need for the other. Some of the most popular procedures patients are asking for include the following.

– Invisalign or Clear Correct

It is the quintessential type of modern orthodontics. The procedure is commonly referred to as invisible braces as that is somewhat the case. These clear plates are a logical alternative to the woeful metal braces that they seek to replace. The clear plates work faster than traditional braces too.

Invisalign has grown in popularity, mostly because it is seen as a helpful alternative for people who feel like they are past the age of wearing braces and still want to get rid of the crooked smile. Adults can use Invisalign as a teeth straightening method that allows them to maintain a professional look wherever they work.

– Bonding

Bonding is also a cosmetic procedure that has been popular for decades now. The real reason it remains a favourite with a lot of people is because it fixes a number of problems at a go. The procedure can also be referred to as composite bonding and can be done for broken, chipped, decayed, and discolored teeth.

The process uses material that is similar to enamel or dentine. This composite material is then spread over the surface of the teeth for sculpting and hardening. After sculpting to the right shape, the enamel-like material is hardened via high-intensity light. The results are natural and long-lasting as the resin blends with the rest of the teeth well. The method is much cheaper and works for people with;

· Cracked or chipped teeth

· Teeth rotting at the gums

· Discolored teeth

· Gaps between teeth

· Teeth that have an altered shape over time

-3D Dentistry

3D dentistry is the new game changer for aesthetic dentistry, and it is not a surprise seeing as how everything in life is developing a digital element now. There are many ways in which the digital aspect of things will revolutionize dentistry as we know it. The results will be more precise than any other method before it and will be able to accomplish more in the way of correctional procedures for small fixes here and there. One thing you can count on to go up with this rise in popularity is the price of getting such a procedure done.

Be that as it may, this new and exciting prospect has been received with open arms by both the practitioners and the patients. The procedure applies the use of Cone Beam Computer Tomography machines. CBCTs are the gist of the whole concept as they give a 3D view of the patient’s mouth which could not be done with X-ray machines. This offers great detail that helps the dentist figure out exactly what the patient needs by looking at the layout of the mouth rather than a single spot. This, combined with the X-ray view, which shows soft tissue, nerve pathways, and bones, offers a thorough observation of the mouth in all sorts of procedures. CBCT technology comes in handy when deciding the exact area to place implants. The technology is also the best in measuring the jaw when it comes to overbites and underbites. CBCT also goes a long way in preparing the patient for reconstructive surgery.

Aside from the benefit of showing a more comprehensive description of the patient’s mouth, 3D technology also reduces exposure to radiation which is a welcome benefit. The machines are set to take over after X-ray machines as the primary technology used by dentists for images because you get the results instantly and scanning is painless.

-Dental implants; the new prosthetics

There may be many ways to correct dental issues, but that is only while you still have your teeth. Once they fall off that’s it; there isn’t much you can do about it. However, one of the newest trends in the dental world is implants which seek to replace your lost teeth.

Losing teeth makes it hard for you to smile and moreover is an indication of poor dental hygiene. These new prosthetics are there to cater to people whose missing teeth are a daily source of agony.

Your missing teeth may also be the reason you think you are aging too quickly. Teeth are part of the sturdier parts that hold your facial structure together. Missing teeth cause the facial structure to collapse thus giving the impression that you have aged. The implants have, however, become more and more popular and are widely used today to fix such problems.

Other trends that are currently shaping cosmetic dentistry

The ways of doing things have not only changed in terms of the procedures applied; there is a lot else that has changed since amalgam fillings were the mainstay. The use of ceramic materials has seen them swiftly replace metals and other materials that evidently don’t belong in the mouth. Apart from the ability to blend in, ceramic is also durable thus it is not much of a shift from the metal alternatives which stick out too much.

It is the age of information and human beings are learning more about themselves now than in any other time of their existence. This is also replicated in dentistry. Patients are more informed about their options and what goes into the procedures. Today’s patient goes to the dentist for self-directed help which makes it easier for both parties as the patient gets exactly what they want.

Other aesthetic oral care procedures

Away from the most popular practices in the field, there are others that are also common, some of which take even shorter time to do. Here are a few other procedures that fall under aesthetic dentistry.

– Teeth Whitening

It is a basic form of cosmetic dentistry that takes a little time at the dentist’s office. Everyone needs teeth whitening every once in a while because they eventually discolor no matter how careful you are with your dental care routine. Habits such as smoking are an obvious reason for discolouration and some foods and drinks also contribute to it all.

Teeth whitening can be done at home or at the dentist’s place and takes about 2 weeks for significant results to be seen. Toothpaste that is designed to whiten teeth can brighten your smile by up to 3 shades lighter in a matter of two weeks.

A visit to the dentist remains the most preferable way to take care of discoloured teeth even though there are plenty of over-the-counter alternatives. Bleaching discolored teeth can improve the color of your teeth by a few shades, but laser whitening is the most popular form of bleaching used now. Laser whitening is a technique in which the teeth are covered with rubber before a bleaching chemical is applied. Once the chemical is smeared over the teeth, the laser activates it, speeding up the process. This type of teeth whitening is used more often than all other methods since it is 6 times as effective.

– Veneers

These are porcelain or composite laminates primarily used to repair defects with the tooth like chipping, cracking, or wearing off. However, they can also be an alternative in cases of severe discoloration. Dental veneers can also be used to fill gaps between teeth. The porcelain laminates are ultra-thin but in most cases still require some amount of tooth reduction for the best results. The laminates are directly bonded to teeth and give exemplary results in cases where the teeth need resizing in order to obtain the same shape.

– Gum lift

It is a procedure that sculpts and raises the gum line. The purpose of the procedure is to improve the symmetry of the teeth and also make them look longer.

– Inlays and Onlays

These apply to cracked or decayed teeth. They come in handy when a filling is too small and a crown too large to reclaim a tooth with some form of structural damage. They are also known as indirect fillings. They have to be made in the lab and fitted to the teeth by the dentist, unlike dental fillings which are molded into the teeth on your visit to the dentist.

– Full mouth reconstruction

While you may think that it takes only a little fixing here and there to get the right smile, sometimes there is much more involved and you may have to undergo a full reconstruction. Today, cosmetic dentistry has a lot of tools on hand to provide all kinds of solutions thus such a reconstruction should not be a problem. However, you may want to check with your health insurer about your policy to see if you are able to offset the cost.

More often than not, people walk into their dentist’s office expecting a routine procedure to be enough, only to find out that they have problems with their bone structure, muscles, and bite among other things. Your dentist ultimately advises you on the best move.

Things to look forward to on your first consultation

The first consultation is meant to get out all the questions you may have about your smile and what you want corrected. This forms the basis of your future consultations and usually takes some time to complete satisfactorily. Cosmetic consultations usually have to do with collecting data about the patient. The practitioner gathers information to help them understand the patient’s needs while identifying problems that may not be apparent to the patient. The information is collected in a number of ways including;

· A discussion on tooth color.

· X-rays and radiographic imaging.

· A comprehensive scan using a computer monitor where your smile is analyzed tooth by tooth to find out what can be changed and how to correct it.

· Tooth and shape and size analysis to identify what shape and size you like.

· Looking through a design book with pictures showing before and after states after procedures.

The first consultation is usually accompanied by a face-to-face with the patient coordinator who helps you schedule a plan that suits you and also works for the practitioner; it involves follow-up examinations as well.

A meeting with the office manager for the practice may also be included if you need to discuss financing for your selected procedure. The normal dental insurance policies don’t cover aesthetic dental work since it is elective. However, there are plenty of payment plans that cater for such payments. In most cases, the in-house payment plan usually works just fine.

Considerations that will go a long way toward ensuring you get the best service

One thing you have to keep in mind before you allow any practice to attend to you is; how you feel about the place in general. Is the staff friendly? How is your interaction with the dentist? Have you received as detailed a discussion about your problem as you hoped for? What alternatives are there? All these are pertinent questions given the treatment might require you to come back again and again. The consultation is the most important phase of the whole process and you need to be content with all the information you receive so that you can make an informed decision on what you want before it is actually done.

Things like the duration it takes to see results and how to sustain them should be clearly explained at this stage. You should also find out about the materials to be used in the restoration process since most of them are made in a laboratory.

It helps to form a rapport with the staff and everyone you will come across during your time at the clinic. It makes things much easier for you and also allows you a better chance to understand the practice.

How to get a good practitioner for your dental needs

Given that the processes are all about looks, different folk tend to be picky about who they allow to work on their dental problems. Looking around before you walk into a dental clinic for any of the services is a good thing; you familiarise yourself with different aspects of the procedure that will get you the smile you have always desired. It is a great way to improve your knowledge of the field and ensure you secure a practitioner who will give you the best results. There are a lot of criteria involved in the search for such a practitioner but here are some of the most vital things to consider;

· Find out about the practitioner’s continuing education and accreditation

Think of cosmetic dentistry as a fine art that takes a lot of effort to master. With this mindset, you can go into the world of dentistry looking for the best-qualified professionals. Post-graduate education is essential in guaranteeing that the practitioner has mastered the finer details of the art. There are well-respected organizations whose accreditation is trusted and it helps a lot if your choice of dentist identifies with one of these.

· Look for referrals and find out what people are saying out there

The best way to gather information about anything new to you is to ask people who have done it before. Friends and family who have had the procedures done before often have a lot of valuable advice. Look through the internet too and find out what other people are saying about the practitioners available around your area.

· Credentials point to innate talent

Your dentist’s innate ability to take good care of your oral health counts when it comes to good results. Remember that cosmetic dentistry is just as much an art as it is a scientific field; therefore, you want to land the best artist you can find.

Final word

Even though we may want the best for ourselves, most of these decisions come down to what you can afford and what is available. You should also not fall for a trend just because it is what is popular at the moment; ensure you get a procedure you actually need.

Check out this Infographic for more Information:  Achieving Dream Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry.