Nicolas Coomber considers the options available for patients who desire aesthetic results.
While many people feel generally happy with the overall appearance of their teeth, a survey has revealed that 71 per cent of UK adults don’t feel comfortable showing their teeth when they smile for a photo. For some, social media plays a key role, with 31 per cent of people admitting that social media regularly makes them feel anxious about their smile. While a dental professional will understand many of the minor adjustments that can be made to improve the overall appearance of the teeth, patients may feel that more extreme measures are needed to make them happy. Stories of Brits travelling to other countries for cosmetic treatments have plagued the headlines recently, with many seeking veneers or even crowns to replace what where perfectly healthy teeth.
So, how should clinicians manage patients who want a smile makeover? What are the options for minimally invasive treatment with an impact? And how can clinicians provide this cosmetic dentistry in a cost-effective way?
Meeting patients’ desires
While patients may feel that drastic action is needed to improve the appearance of their teeth and achieve a ‘Hollywood smile’, it is important to manage their expectations while meeting their desires. Present the patient with a range of treatment options that may be best for them, and be sure to explain the projected outcomes in detail, using visual aids where possible. Effective communication is key here, allowing the patient to clearly understand what to expect from each treatment type, and make an informed decision.
Generally, for the health of the teeth, a minimally invasive solution is usually the favourable option, allowing the patient to keep as much of their natural dentition as possible, whilst refining the overall appearance.
A luxurious experience
For many patients, no matter the treatment type, cosmetic dentistry should produce highly aesthetic, luxurious results. This means that whether you’re providing whitening, composite bonding, or veneers, your patients should feel that they’ve received the best possible treatment.
Because of this, using high-quality products is essential. But clinicians will still need to work within a realistic budget, which means making smart choices that will allow them to provide superior treatments and help their practice to grow. Investing in skill building may also make a significant difference in your restorative outcomes. By becoming more confident in the treatment you’re offering, you ensure the optimal results for you and your patients.
Composite as a versatile solution
Composite bonding could be the answer for the majority of patients who want to make alterations to their smile. Offering the ability to produce lasting results across a wide range of indications, composite is a versatile material.
It’s important to inform patients of the benefits of choosing a minimally invasive approach for healthy teeth, particularly when they are younger or choosing to have treatment for purely cosmetic reasons. Whether that’s selecting veneers instead of crowns or composite bonding instead of veneers. Each of these choices will help to slow the restorative spiral. It is also important that you’re trained and competent to confidently carry out the procedure(s) – creating clean margins to facilitate oral hygiene – and inform patients of the lifespan of each treatment option. Where possible, create a long-term plan for the patient’s cosmetic journey, understanding that five years or so post-composite bonding, the patient may find that they require further procedures, or repair/replacement of the composite to maintain the appearance.
If the patient decides that composite bonding is right for them, be sure to choose the highest-quality materials to create the best possible outcome. This will enable you to achieve the patient’s aesthetic goals, and a longlasting result. For example, Brilliant EverGlow, from Coltene, allows clinicians to achieve highly aesthetic and durable restorative outcomes. The universal submicron hybrid composite offers convenient sculptability and form stability, as well as excellent polishability and high lustre.
In an environment in which the entire dental team is focused on providing preventive care to all patients, dentists are able to branch out and offer cosmetic treatments to those who would like them. As the number of patients seeking cosmetic dentistry continues to rise, staying ahead by investing in the tools and materials needed to provide high quality cosmetic dentistry is incredibly helpful. This will enable you to meet the needs of a wide range of patients. Using products which offer flexibility will ensure that you can maximise your revenue, avoid material waste, and expand your patient base for a practice that offers the treatments patients want.