The Three Most Popular Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry

The way we look has always played a major role in the impression we give off to others; now, perhaps more than ever before, having an attractive smile is crucial to looking our best. As many as 75% of people believe that unattractive smile could hurt their chances for career success. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of Americans view nice, healthy smiles as important social assets. With cosmetic dentistry becoming more and more popular and new procedures being discovered everyday, there’s something out there for every kind of mouth. Appealing to your local dentist for these corrective procedures might be all you need for the changes your teeth require. However, some of the newer and more specialized techniques may require the expertise of a cosmetic dentist. Here are some of the most popular procedures summed up, to give inspiration to those of us thinking of improving our smiles.

1. Veneers


Veneers are thin, unobtrusive covers that bond to teeth and provide a new, shiny coating. Porcelain veneers are the most commonly used, but some are made with a composite resin material depending on the needs of the patient. Lumineers are another variation on veneers, being thinner, highly translucent and better able to imitate the appearance of natural enamel. The procedure of applying veneers requires little or no anesthesia and they will last as long 5-10 years before needing to be replaced. This is the sort of procedure that a local dentist will usually be able to perform.

2. Teeth Whitening

Another common procedure that can usually be done by a local dentist and even with some at-home methods. The importance of having white teeth to Americans shouldn’t be underestimated, as we spend around $1.4 billion on tooth whitening products and procedures every year. What’s more, In the past five years, teeth whitening procedures have increased by over 300%. Arguably the most important part of an attractive smile, in addition to being straight, is clean and white teeth.

3. Reshaping and Contouring
Teeth come in all shapes and sizes and the same is true of their flaws. Sometimes only specific ‘spot work’ needs to be done on teeth rather than covering all of them with a veneer surface or whitening every single one. For this, reshaping and contouring specific teeth may be more along the lines of what’s needed. There are many different options to help reform teeth that are missing, discolored, chipped or mishapen.

Cosmetic dentistry includes a whole line of different specialized procedures. There is something for every different kind of need to ensure that everyone has a beautiful smile!