The goal of cosmetic dentists around the globe is to enhance the look and feel of your smile. Your smile is an important part of your personality, and it helps make an impression on the people you meet. Those who have dreamed of wearing a perfect smile–straight, white teeth that gleam and dazzle everyone in your path; luckily, a great smile is within reach for anyone who wants it, through the magic of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry includes any dental work that’s performed to improve the appearance of your mouth, including your teeth, your bite or your gums. This could include changing the shape or color of your teeth, or moving them into a different alignment. The final outcome is usually a whiter, brighter, prettier smile. While cosmetic suggests this is all about appearance, there are many instances where cosmetic dentistry can improve your overall oral health.
As movie stars and celebrities flash their gorgeous, cosmetically enhanced smiles on camera and in magazines, people flock to the dentist in hopes of duplicating those mouths. Procedures that were at first considered rare, expensive, and difficult, such as teeth straightening and whitening/bleaching, have now become a popular entity.
History of Cosmetic Dentistry:
It may come as a surprise to hear cosmetic dentistry has been around for millennia (1000 years). In fact, historians believe that some form of cosmetic dentistry has been practiced for thousands of years. Some say it goes back as far as 700 B.C., when the ancient Etruscans made the first pair of dentures made from animal teeth. Over the years, people used other objects as replacements for teeth, such as animal bones and even seashells. By the time the Roman Empire rose to power, people were scrubbing their teeth with toothpaste containing abrasive substances, such as ammonia, in an attempt to wipe away stains.
Through the 1600s, early dentists were actually barbers who pulled double-duty between teeth and hair. But by the late 1700s, dentistry had become a separate profession, and these practitioners began cosmetic dentistry procedures that laid the foundation for today, including molding dentures made of porcelain. At the turn of the 20th century, dentists were making individual porcelain teeth to cap missing or worn ones. Cosmetic dentistry started to become more common in the 1990s, when the term was first coined.
Advances in Cosmetic Surgery:
While the methodology has changed from back in the day, the aim of cosmetic dentistry has remained the same: to create more appealing smiles. That brings us to today, where advances in cosmetic surgery are at the forefront. In other words, our fast-paced technology savvy world has made it possible for cosmetic dentists to have numerous options for enhancing your smile. Whether you need a tooth replaced, whitened, or moved, your dentist has the ability to use the latest and greatest dental technology, such as new materials and 3D imaging to make your experience as fast and painless as possible.
These days, patients prefer minimally invasive procedures that will cause them the least amount of discomfort. Many of the advances made in cosmetic dentistry are aimed at achieving this end.
Some of the most in-demand cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
- Invisalign teeth straightening vs. traditional metal braces
- Crowns
- Bonding
- Teeth whitening
Advances in Cosmetic Dentistry Include:
- 3D technology
- Invisalign teeth straightening vs. traditional metal braces
- Digital X-rays and panoramic scanning
- Laser drilling
· Improved Restoration Materials
Are you ready to improve your smile? We’re happy to help! Call Dedicated Dental at (702) 566-5509 or request an appointment online to learn about the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry and find out how we can assist you in getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
