The last decade has seen an overhaul of the dentistry industry with revolutionary new treatments and technologies making procedures quicker, better and safer. In this now ever-evolving industry the fear of ‘the dentist’s chair’ is quickly becoming a thing of the past as treatments can take as little as one-two hours and be almost painless.
Significant breakthroughs in minimally invasive techniques have left people who would have tried everything to avoid ever going to the dentist now looking to find out what options are available to them.
Arise Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry acts in two ways, not only does it help you to attain the perfect smile but address any oral issues during the same procedure, giving you the customer more than one thing to smile about.
With a wave of new technology hitting the market and cosmetic surgery beginning to trend there has been a significant drop in prices of treatments in recent years making cosmetic dental surgery affordable for most.
Here we take a look at Cosmetic Dentistry Trends so far in 2018.
Sedation Dentistry
With a focus on changing people’s attitude towards dentistry in general, reducing fear and pain during the procedure has been at the forefront of new designs. Keeping the patient comfortable and relaxed during their cosmetic treatment is crucial, and the industry is now fully committed to sedation dentistry.
With this new patient-centric sentiment the patients feel little or no pain throughout the restoration period and proves an anxiety-free process.
Nitrous Oxide or sedative pills are used for procedures such as gum reshaping, crown replacement, implants or veneers, with dentists using either of the above at their discretion.
Coloured Restorations
A significant advancement in cosmetic dentistry is restorations and fillings that colour-wise mimic the tooth precisely, so it does not look out of place.
These are an ideal treatment for teeth damaged by decay, and once treatment has concluded, there is no visible sign that any took place.
Whitening and Straightening
Many years ago teeth whitening involved numerous visits to the dentist over a period of time, sometimes to see just a few shades of difference. With today’s advancements, it has become quick and inexpensive, and the most popular treatment to achieve that whiter, brighter look. It is booked now as an outpatient treatment in most clinics and even suitable to be practised at home.
Allowing flexibility and high-level aesthetics through clear aligner’s, teeth straightening has seen a revolution in orthodontic treatment.
This form of treatment suits people looking for corrections such as:
- Misalignment of teeth
- Overbites
- Under bites
- Gaps
- Crowded teeth
Restoration and Ceramics – Made-to-Order
Metallic restorations are now a thing of the past, being replaced by advanced ceramics giving a completely natural look with longevity.
With rapid advancement in the ceramic materials being used in cosmetic dentistry, a dentist is now able to customise a wide range of services such as:
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Custom Inlays
- Onlays
All of which are dyed to match the natural shade of your teeth if you are not undergoing a whitening process at the same time, giving you a seamless treatment and makeover and let’s not forget there’s no mercury in your mouth anymore!
The use of 3D printing in Dentistry
The medical industry has embraced 3D printing and invested heavily into research and development for the use of organs and prosthetics, and the dentist industry has quickly followed suit.
Additive manufacturing is now playing an ever-increasing role in dental implants. The technology makes it possible to create a 3D printed model to precisely replicate missing teeth. Regarding speed and cost, there is no comparison between the new technology and old manufacturing processes. The future of 3D printing and the dental industry are to be entwined for many years to come.
3D Printed Dentures
The next advancement in the technology is not just the replacement of a tooth or teeth but one step further into the realm of re-creating dentures with both gums and teeth using biocompatible material. At this moment it is still in the testing phase as they are adapting the print to patient’s morphology. We await a breakthrough in 2019, at the moment we are in clinical trial phase, but with all 3D printing technology it tends to move at rapid pace, so expect dental surgeries in more affluent countries being able to perform this within 12 months.
Contouring of the gums and Tooth Re-shaping
This procedure reshapes the gum line transforming what appears a gummy smile into an even confidence building, balanced smile. It is conducted through the use of laser technology, resulting in minimal invasiveness to reshape the teeth.
Full Reconstruction of the Mouth
So far we have covered cosmetic dentistry from the perspective of gaining confidence and a better smile, but new techniques have come into play where full mouth reconstruction can now take place. Examination of the mouth begins with X-rays and photographs, impressions of both the upper and lower teeth are taken, and subsequent models are made from the imprints made from the bite. The processes look to correct:
- Teeth
- Jaw Muscles
- Gums
- Bite
- Temporomandibular Joints
- Occlusion
- Bone Structure
Recent advancement has made this possible to provide patients with durable, functional, cost-effective treatment that can be executed with a full recovery period in as little as 72 hours, unheard of just 5-7 years ago.
This area of cosmetic surgery is deep into the research and development phase in conjunction with 3D printing to enhance the strength and durability of the finished product whilst lowering the cost and efficiency even further next year.
Conclusion
Although technology is moving fast it is not the only factor to consider when deciding on your treatment, be sure to use the right registered and qualified dental clinic to carry out this kind of work. Your dentist must be able to keep abreast of the new advancements and be able to use the technology competently. Ensure to gain referrals before choosing where you go for your treatment, and ensure your dentist is continuing their dental education of the ever-changing face of cosmetic dental surgery.
Author Bio
Carl is an experience blogger of 9 years, is a keen health and sport enthusiast, associated with Weston Dental who are one of the leading family dentist Canberra, Australia.