In addition to a number of primary benefits, such as improved bite and overall oral health, the primary purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the overall appearance of the teeth by focusing on the shape, size, and alignment of the teeth to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
For many years, the dominant trend in cosmetic dentistry was to achieve the “perfect smile”, a term commonly associated with brighter-than-bright white coloration and uniform alignment, yet more recently, an unexpected change in trends suggests this could all be set to change.
Getting The Perfect Results
Work from inexperienced or underqualified dentists can produce results ranging from poor color or shape matching to factors that can even affect health, such as sensitivity, allergies, or even infection, making proper cosmetic dental care from a licensed and trained professional dentist essential.
Rather than focus solely on the appearance of the teeth, a good dental esthetician will typically take into account the whole of their patient’s facial anatomy, allowing for personalized treatment plans that take into account a holistic view of the patient’s unique facial characteristics and individual aesthetic goals.
Famously Unique Smiles
For many years, the main aim of cosmetic dentistry was perfection, yet more recently, there has been a noticeable shift towards retaining subtle imperfections and idiosyncrasies in the teeth that provide an alternative to the standard “Hollywood smile”.
Popular examples of this can be seen in the idiosyncratic smiles of some of our most popular celebrities: it’s difficult to imagine Madonna without her front-tooth gap, or David Bowie without his prominent incisors. While both celebrities underwent some subtle cosmetic dental work, these traits became an integral part of their overall look.
From Perfect To Personalized
For many patients, a relatively uniform, white smile is still preferred. However, this trend offers a way to create a more personalized look. In a similar way to the personal style trends of the fashion world, aiming for a more natural dental look fits in with the goal of a more individualized, unique aesthetic..
A major driver for this has been the expectations set by social media, in particular filter effects set to alter and whiten the appearance of teeth. By contrast, the reaction of many people has been to buck this trend in favor of a more unique look.
New Tech, New Techniques
While treatments like gum contouring, veneers, and invisible braces continue to be popular, these can be used more judiciously alongside newer, more advanced methods. Many recent technological advancements in cosmetic dentistry are proving useful for achieving the perfectly imperfect smile, including:
- Newer materials and techniques aim to recreate the color and translucency of natural teeth while avoiding the unnatural look sometimes associated with veneers.
- 3D printing to help create truly custom dental treatments.
- Laser dentistry offers more comfortable, non-invasive options for procedures such as gum contouring and reshaping.
Despite an abundance of techniques and new technologies enabling cosmetic dentists to help patients achieve these aesthetic goals, the key concepts relating to this trend are seamlessness and subtlety, helping to create a look that enhances, rather than masks, unique facial characteristics.
While cosmetic dental trends may still cycle back towards straight pearly whites, this trend is an opportunity for dental estheticians to help patients embrace their natural look through treatments uniquely tailored to them.
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