Why Patients are Seeking the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to the services that patients turn to when they would like to fix aesthetic issues going on with their teeth. In fact, more than half of Americans feel insecure about their teeth. Some of the most common dental insecurities include crookedness, receding gums, and extra spaces between the teeth. Because of these desires to improve their smiles, the cosmetic dentistry industry is currently booming. According to a survey from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, most cosmetic dentistry procedures have seen phenomenal growth in excess of 200%.
The American population is aging along with the availability of these procedures, which likely plays a major role in its growth. In addition, the population that is aging, primarily the baby boomers, have historically been passionate about dental care. The majority of cosmetic dental patients, according to the AACD, are between the ages of 40-49 at 26.88%, followed by the 50-plus age group at 25.09%. Of the cosmetic dentistry procedures that patients are receiving, some of the most popular include:
- Tooth bleaching
Cosmetic tooth bleaching is a $3.2 billion global industry, and it’s growing by the minute. It’s easy to see why patients are flocking to tooth bleaching. It is safe, effective, and performed under the supervision of a dental team. Furthermore, the results that patients experience from tooth bleaching are very desirable. Patients are able to have brighter, whiter teeth, which enables them to be perceived as being younger, more attractive, smarter, and wealthier.
- Enamel bonding
Enamel bonding is a procedure in which a dentist applies a tooth-colored resin to one or more of the teeth to repair damage. Enamel bonding is great for repairing decayed teeth, repairing chipped or cracked teeth, improving the appearance of discolored teeth, closing the spaces between teeth, and making teeth appear longer. It can also be used to fill small cavities and reshape a misaligned tooth. Bonding is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry.
- Dental veneers
Dental veneers are a premium cosmetic dental procedure in the sense that they perfect the appearance of the teeth. The procedure creates a beautiful, natural-looking smile for the patient. Patients love dental veneers for the following reasons:
Veneers are a simple and easy way to cosmetically repair teeth.
Veneers perfect and whiten the teeth in a natural way.
The procedure is minimally invasive.
The procedure is fairly quick, taking around three weeks from start to finish.
Veneers are permanent and durable.
Veneers are easy to maintain.
Veneers are a great way to treat enamel loss.
- Invisalign braces
Invisalign is an especially popular option among adults who would like to fix the issues that are traditionally fixed with conventional braces. We understand why it is so popular, and some of the most common reasons patients are flocking to Invisalign include:
They are a great way to fi most teeth alignment issues.
They are almost invisible in the mouth.
They are comfortable.
They allow the patients to have an individualized treatment plan.
Patients take their aligners out to eat and drink, so there are not the same food restrictions that come with conventional braces.
- Enamel microabrasion
Enamel microabrasion is a technique that can be used to correct discolored enamel. Many patients experience staining and yellowing of their teeth, which can be caused by extrinsic and intrinsic sources. Extrinsic stains are surface level stains that come from eating and drinking habits like red wine, coffee, and tobacco. Intrinsic stains are stains that occur below the surface of the tooth within the enamel. Causes of intrinsic staining include medical treatments, trauma, excessive fluoride, and poor dental hygiene. These stains are a bit more difficult to remove, but it can be done with microabrasion. The steps of enamel microabrasion include:
Isolating the teeth for protection
Removing discolored enamel
Polishing the teeth with an acid abrasion slurry
Cleaning and rinsing the teeth
- Dental implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root which is comparable in shape to screws. Dental implants are implanted into the jawbone and bond with the natural bone. They serve as a base for artificial teeth known as crowns. Dental implants improve the appearance of patients’ teeth, improve their speech, improve comfort levels, allow them to eat more comfortably, improve their self-esteem, improve their oral health, and create increased durability and convenience for the patient. Dental implants are a popular treatment because they are the only tooth replacement option that replaces the root of the missing tooth.
- Porcelain crowns
Porcelain crowns are one of the best ways to fix dental damage. This is one of the most commonly used dental restoration techniques. About 15 million people in the US have crown or bridge replacements. Dental damage can happen for a variety of reasons, like tooth decay, injuries, and overuse. Patients might seek dental crowns to address the following issues:
A weak tooth that has broken or is cracked
A large filling without a substantial amount of tooth remaining
A dental bridge that has fallen out of place
Teeth that are misshapen or discolored
A dental implant that is uncovered
A root canal that needs to be covered
If you have dental insecurities or issues that you would like to address with the powers of cosmetic dentistry, call Austell Dental Associates at (770) 467-3888 or contact us online.