The trend of looking good with an attractive smile is made easier with advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry. From teeth whitening to a complete smile makeover, your mouth can be healthier and more aesthetically pleasing than ever before.

AACD Update

A survey conducted in 2007 by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) revealed that the cosmetic dental boom is strong and shows no signs of slowing down. The survey revealed that cosmetic-dentistry-related revenue jumped an average of $495,000 per practice in a single year. With this increase, projections are for a $2.75 billion increase across the 5,500 practices represented by the survey sample. This equals a 15 percent increase from 2005.

Advancements in Technology

Technological advancements in natural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic dental treatments stronger, longer lasting and more predictable than in previous years. Cosmetic dentists are also practicing more conservative techniques which preserve as much of your real teeth as possible.

Many cosmetic dentists also use modern technology such as lasers to complete more cosmetic treatments in their own offices, instead of sending patients to specialists. This cuts down on the number of dental visits you will need to schedule, and makes procedures more comfortable and convenient. Fewer dental visits also helps reduce the time needed for recovery.

Emerging Smile Trends

The look of too bright and overly-whitened teeth has been replaced by a smile that looks natural, yet dazzling. Today, cosmetic dentistry techniques and materials are specially designed to make realistic enhancements to your smile while highlighting your:

• Facial features
• Bone structure
• Skin tone
• Facial shape

Some specific smile trends include:

Veneers

Today’s veneers are long-lasting, made from dental porcelain that will not dull with age. It is stain-resistant, durable, and can be matched closely to your natural tooth color. Porcelain veneers are permantently bonded to the teeth and with good care will last a great many years.

Lasers

With the invention and development of lasers, the need for scalpels in cosmetic dentistry is becoming obsolete. There are soft tissue lasers for gum work and hard tissue lasers for reshaping teeth. Lasers can quickly and safely remove decay and reshape your gums . Use of a laser for treating gum disease reduces bleeding and infection, since the laser seals the healthy tissue as it removes the decay. Recovery time is shorter and more pain-free.

CAD/CAM Technology

Because of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing technology, patients can get higher quality, more natural-looking porcelain veneers. CAD/CAM technology allows dental lab technician to fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dental restorations. This technology also enhances the communication between dental laboratories and cosmetic dentists, providing for a more precise restoration with a faster turnaround time.

In order to consolidate steps and simplify cosmetic dentistry as a whole, a number of companies are making adjustments to current products, including composites and self-etching adhesives.

The success of your cosmetic dentistry will ultimately depend on the expertise and efficiency of the dentist you choose. The best step you can take for your own dental care is to choose a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist.