Current Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry

The trend oflooking good with an attractive smile is made easier with advances in the fieldof cosmetic dentistry. From teeth whitening to a complete smile makeover, your mouth can be healthier andmore aesthetically pleasing than ever before.

AACD Update

A surveyconducted in 2007 by the American Academy ofCosmetic Dentistry (AACD) revealed that the cosmetic dental boom is strongand shows no signs of slowing down. The survey revealed thatcosmetic-dentistry-related revenue jumped an average of $495,000 per practicein a single year. With this increase, projections are for a $2.75 billionincrease across the 5,500 practices represented by the survey sample. Thisequals a 15 percent increase from 2005.

Advancementsin Technology

Technological advancements innatural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dentaltreatments stronger, longer lasting and more predictable than in previousyears. Cosmetic dentists are also practicing more conservative techniques whichpreserve as much of your real teeth as possible.

Many cosmetic dentists also use moderntechnology such as lasers to complete more cosmetic treatments in their ownoffices, instead of sending patients to specialists. This cuts down on thenumber of dental visits you will need to schedule, and makes procedures morecomfortable and convenient. Fewer dental visits also helps reduce the timeneeded for recovery.

Emerging Smile Trends

Thelook of too bright and overly-whitened teeth has been replaced by a smile thatlooks natural, yet dazzling. Today, cosmetic dentistry techniques and materialsare specially designed to make realistic enhancements to your smile whilehighlighting your:

·        Facial features

·        Bone structure

·        Skin tone

·        Facial shape

Somespecific smile trends include: 

Veneers

Today’sveneersare long-lasting, made from dental porcelain that will not dull with age. It isstain-resistant, durable, and can be matched closely to your natural toothcolor. Porcelain veneers are permantently bonded to the teeth and with goodcare will last a great many years.

Lasers

With the invention and development of lasers, the need forscalpels in cosmetic dentistry is becoming obsolete. There are soft tissuelasers for gum work and hard tissue lasers for reshaping teeth. Lasers canquickly and safely remove decay and reshape your gums. Use of a laser for treating gum diseasereduces bleeding and infection, since the laser seals the healthy tissue as itremoves the decay. Recovery time is shorter and more pain-free.

CAD/CAM Technology

Becauseof Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing technology, patients canget higher quality, more natural-looking porcelain veneers. CAD/CAM technologyallows dental lab technician to fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dentalrestorations. This technology also enhances the communication between dentallaboratories and cosmetic dentists, providing for a more precise restorationwith a faster turnaround time.

In order toconsolidate steps and simplify cosmeticdentistry as a whole, a number of companies are making adjustments tocurrent products, including composites and self-etching adhesives.

The success of your cosmetic dentistry will ultimately depend on theexpertise and efficiency of the dentist you choose. The best step you can takefor your own dental care is to choose a qualified and experienced cosmeticdentist.