Cosmetic, aesthetic or restorative?

The American Academy definition of cosmetic dentistry is comprehensive oral health care which combines art and science to optimally improve a person’s dental health, aesthetics and function. I attended my first American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session over a decade ago and at the time was alarmed at the nature of some of the presentations. This definition seemed to have little relevance to many of the cases presented where cosmetic appearance was the only concern with little or no regard (or understanding) for the patient’s long term oral health and with little or no understanding of the implications of functional occlusion.

Certain speakers were misguided enough to proclaim that veneers could solve the patients occlusal problems and appeared unaware or unconcerned that excessive removal of tooth structure would have disastrous long term implications for the patients oral health. Unfortunately I have witnessed the same mistakes repeated and promoted in the UK by some individuals and organisations.