Latest Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry

A flawless smile with perfect teeth is the best beauty enhancement. It boosts your confidence, makes you shine, and gets you all the attention you deserve. But not everyone is blessed with pearly-white, perfectly aligned teeth. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can help you address dental flaws and achieve the smile of your dreams without spending a fortune or undergoing painful procedures.

According to statistics, the market size of cosmetic dentistry in the US was a whopping $ 5.6 billion in 2023. The country has more than 37,000 professionals working in the industry. The statistics show that the demand and supply in the segment are massive, and it will likely grow in the future. 1

But before searching Google for a clinic for cosmetic dentistry near me, you should know the latest trends and procedures it entails. Also, it makes sense to dig deep to find out how much cosmetic dentistry costs.

We have a comprehensive overview of the latest in cosmetic & advanced dentistry procedures, trends, and costs. You can rely on it to get clear expectations before your first appointment.

Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures offering aesthetic improvements in teeth, gums, and bites. These may include enhancements in color, shape, size, position, alignment, and overall smile. The treatment may not have functional benefits because it mainly focuses on the appearance of your smile. However, countless Americans opt for these procedures in the era of perfection expectations and social media exposure. 2

Unlike a general dentist who offers preventive care and restorative treatment, a cosmetic dentist focuses on enhancing your smile. They do it with advanced dentistry procedures that improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. Chipped or cracked teeth, misaligned teeth, gaps between teeth, and tooth staining and discoloration are some instances that warrant cosmetic procedures. 3

Popular Cosmetic & Advanced Dentistry Procedures

Cosmetic and advanced dentistry is a broad area comprising several treatments for diverse dental issues. Here are a few common ones.

Teeth Whitening

Staining and yellowing of teeth is a common problem, with a recent report showing that 34% of Americans are not satisfied with their tooth color. Most cases are of extrinsic discoloration caused by dark-colored foods and drinks. Conversely, intrinsic discoloration is a more significant concern as it is usually an in-vitro problem and is harder to address. Some drugs and deficiencies may also cause staining. 4, 5

Professional tooth whitening is an effective cosmetic procedure to safely lighten the shade of the teeth and restore a bright smile. Your dentist may recommend at-home dental whitening products or in-office treatment according to the severity and extent of your condition.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is another popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that entails the application of composite resin to replicate your tooth color. The treatment’s goal is to conceal cracks, discoloration, and other aesthetic flaws. Furthermore, dental bonding can alter the shape of a tooth to make it more uniform, longer, or broader.

Research shows that restorations with adhesive composite resin have an impressive survival rate of 95.8%. The average lifespan of dental bonding is five to seven years, making it a cost-effective procedure, even if it costs a few hundred dollars. The best part is that dental bonding is completely reversible as it does not require the removal of natural tooth enamel. 6

Porcelain Veneers

Like dental bonding, porcelain veneers can conceal imperfections such as cracks, chips, and discoloration. They are thin and strong shells that stick to the front surface of the tooth. You can explore options such as traditional and minimal prep veneers according to your need, preference, and budget.

Veneers differ from dental bonding in the context of removal of natural enamel as they require at least some degree of removal. Studies establish a survival rate of 93%, slightly lower than that of dental bonding. However, the procedure may last for a decade. 7

Whether you opt for traditional or minimal prep veneers, you need to understand that the procedure entails at least some removal of natural enamel from the teeth. It means the process may or may not be reversible depending on which kind you choose. In most cases, porcelain veneers last for a decade.

Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring refers to changing the shape of your teeth by removing small amounts of enamel. Your dentist decides how much of the tooth structure can be safely removed because there is a limit to the amount of natural enamel.

The process is cost-effective and time-effective as it entails minor shaving of the teeth to improve their shape and appearance. You can expect your dentist to complete the procedure in only a single session.

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure to correct a gummy smile in people born with excess gum tissue. Although a gummy smile hardly affects your dental functioning, it can make you conscious of your smile and appearance.

Gingival recontouring can help you regain a healthy smile and confidence by eliminating the excess tissue on your gum line. It creates a more symmetrical, balanced appearance, with your teeth being more prominent than your gums. 8

Innovative Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry

If you have a less-than-perfect smile, you should search for a reputable clinic offering cosmetic dentistry near me sooner rather than later. As you look for a specialist, remember to check the treatment options they offer, their credentials and track records, and the cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures at the clinic. Also, check whether they have the latest solutions for their patients. Here are a few innovative trends in cosmetic dentistry that patients should know about.

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry is a procedure using lasers for both cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. The laser-based aesthetic procedures include accelerating teeth whitening and reshaping gums. It can also help with functional treatments such as repairing dental fillings, removing tooth infections, crown lengthening, gum surgeries, removing lesions, and biopsies.

According to surveys, nearly 55% of dentists use this innovative technique for dental procedures. Lasers are the need of the hour because they eliminate the need for traditional tools such as scalpels in dental procedures like surgery. Besides making treatments less invasive, laser dentistry enables more precise, comfortable, and fast-recovery treatments. 9

3D Printing

Dental 3D printing is big, with a global market size in 2023 estimated at $ 3.1 billion. Many dentists and dental clinics rely on 3D technology to produce cosmetic models such as dental crowns, veneers, guards, implants, and bridges. It also plays a key role in Invisalign treatment to get perfect fits. 10

With 3D-printed products, dentists can rest assured about better aesthetics, faster fabrication, and greater accuracy of cosmetic dentistry and functional restorations.

Teledentistry

Like telemedicine, teledentistry has emerged as a trending treatment in post-pandemic times. In a survey, most patients agreed that it was helpful for their oral health problems during the pandemic when clinics were closed due to the raging infections. While you may have some qualms regarding seeking cosmetic dentistry treatment virtually, it can be helpful for follow-up consultations and checkups. 11

Teledentistry can save time and minimize the stress of waiting for appointments in dental clinics. On the provider front, it can help clinics to conserve resources and focus on patients who actually need critical care. Another benefit of teledentistry for cosmetic procedures is that it can help patients seek treatment from dentists beyond typical service areas. In fact, you don’t need to confine yourself to searches for providers offering cosmetic dentistry near me!

Emotional Dentistry

Studies show that nearly 58.8% of patients experience dental anxiety. The feat extends to cosmetic dentistry procedures even though they are less invasive and painful than restorative treatments. Emotional dentistry is a trending concept that eases the fear of dental treatments by influencing a patient’s emotions and mental health. 12

For instance, the dental specialist may convince the patient about the benefits of straightening crooked teeth. The procedure can improve patients’ appearance and confidence in the long run. Emotional dentistry uses various tools to model possible outcomes for patients to help them choose the most appealing option.

How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question regarding the cost of cosmetic dentistry. The answer is subjective, depending on your condition, the kind of treatment you require, the skills and reputation of the clinic you choose, and your budget. Expect to spend anything ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on your needs and expectations.

The next time you type “cosmetic clinic near me” in the search box, set aside time to research the clinic’s website to understand the cost structure for various treatment options. You can also seek an initial consultation and ask upfront about the budget estimate for the treatment.

Some clinics provide easy payment plans to patients requiring expensive procedures. Such payment plans make cosmetic dentistry treatment more feasible for those worried about the costing part. Remember that no amount is too big when it comes to regaining your confidence with a perfect smile.

Can Invisalign Treatment Offer Cosmetic Benefits?

While cosmetic dentistry is primarily about aesthetics, sometimes restorative treatments may also enhance your appearance and smile. Repairing a cracked or broken tooth with a dental crown or implant is an example where functional improvement and aesthetic enhancement are achieved together. Similarly, dental braces go beyond improving your bite and correct your smile as well.

Invisalign is another treatment that bundles the benefits of aesthetic and functional outcomes. Dentists recommend it for correcting overbites, crowded teeth, and trouble chewing. Besides resolving these issues, Invisalign improves your smile in the long run. The best part is that it does not affect your appearance during the treatment period because it does not show up prominently like conventional braces.

Invisalign treatment is in high demand in the US, and many clinics provide expertise in this field. You can discuss your expectations with your Boston Invisalign provider before going ahead with the treatment. Your specialist will ensure that you get the best of both worlds according to your needs and expectations.

Summing Up

Cosmetic dentistry is a go-to solution for people looking for aesthetic improvements in their smile. Although these procedures are elective, more people are inclined toward them because they are not willing to compromise their beauty and confidence. A small investment in your smile with a cosmetic dentistry treatment can deliver immense benefits in your personal and professional life.