The Future of Cosmetic Dentistry
It’s easy to think of dentistry as primarily a method of caring for your teeth and oral health. Yet cosmetic dentistry designed to improve the appearance of your smile is just as important. Self-esteem often begins with a healthy and well-maintained set of teeth. If you’re not sure if cosmetic treatments are right for you, you need to learn about the latest breakthroughs in dental technology. Modern cosmetic dentistry is more advanced and produces more natural results than ever before. Find out what innovative dental treatments your dentist might recommend during your next visit and what’s coming next.
Over the last few years, the majority of cosmetic dentists have adopted digital scanning and design tools. Many cosmetic procedures begin with the collection of a set of impressions that show your teeth and their placement. Taking those impressions can be messy and uncomfortable for the patient, not to mention a lot of work for the dentist and their assistants. The advancement of digital scanning tools reduces or eliminates the need for old-fashioned impressions. Once the dentist has a digital model of your mouth, they can use software to make virtual changes and show you what you’ll look like after the procedures are done. The use of this kind of dental technology will only grow in the future.
Veneers were once relatively thick and tended to be noticeable when compared to the profile of your natural teeth. The thickness was particularly visible from the sides or when you smiled broadly. Today’s veneers are much thinner, and ultra-thin and realistic materials are the future of cosmetic dentistry. The durability of the materials used to make the veneers is also expected to improve further in the future. In a few years, you may be able to get veneers that last multiple decades rather than needing replacement every 10 years or so.
In addition to digital scanning and previewing, dental labs that manufacture items like dentures have more tools than ever to create high-quality products. 3D printing is still limited in use to the creation of temporary devices that are used for fitting and adjusting the final piece. Yet with the development of new and more durable materials that are dental safe, you will soon receive a completely 3D printed set of dentures or crowns. Milling is currently used to shape dentures and other devices because computer-controlled cutting creates high-quality results from ceramic, acrylic, and other materials. The expansion of milling options will create even more durable and accurate-looking prosthetics in the future.
Speaking of dental prosthetics, dentures have long been difficult to fit comfortably and securely when chewing and speaking. The all-on-four breakthrough that anchors a full set of dentures on just four carefully placed dental implants has revolutionized the way they fit. The anchors are attached through the gum tissue and into the jawbone so your dentures don’t move around until you’re ready to remove them for cleaning. For partial dentures, both implant support and traditional mouthpiece designs are available. Flexible materials used for mouthpiece partial dentures make them more comfortable and easier to wear than in the past when stiff acrylic was used. New dental innovations are likely to make both partial and full dentures even more comfortable and realistic as new materials are created to mimic the appearance of tooth enamel and gum tissue.
Zirconia and ceramic composite materials have made both veneers and crowns far more durable than they were in the past. Many dentists expect that these cosmetic dental procedures will get more affordable over time as the cost of the best raw materials falls, making them more accessible to a wider range of patients.
Advanced dental procedures to achieve cosmetic goals have long required quite a bit of invasive work. For example, veneers used to require the removal of a large amount of healthy tooth enamel to create a gap for the new material to fit seamlessly. Modern veneer procedures require little to no removal of the enamel layer just to get a good fit. Other procedures are growing less invasive as well, letting you get the results you want with less time spent in the dentist’s chair. It’s possible that even dental implants may take only a single visit in the future.
If you haven’t kept up with the latest changes in cosmetic dentistry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ozumba here at Premier Dental Club. We can explain all of the breakthroughs that we use to give you the best possible results with as little discomfort or wait time as possible. Discuss your desires for your smile with our team and find out what we can do to help.
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