The Top 4 Trends in Cosmetic Dentistry – What’s The Latest?

If you’re thinking about enhancing your smile, you may be wondering about the latest trends in cosmetic dentistry. Which procedures are patients choosing? What are the latest advances in modern dental aesthetics? What can you expect if you schedule a cosmetic consultation with Loftus Dental? Let’s find out.

1. Crafting Natural-Looking Smiles

When it comes to enhancing your smile, there’s always a balance to be struck between absolute perfection and natural-looking teeth. And while some people want a “Hollywood Smile” with large, flawless, and blindingly-white teeth, there’s been a trend away from this type of cosmetic dental care in recent years.

Instead, many cosmetic dentists are starting to take a different approach. Instead of using the brightest possible veneers or dramatically reshaping your smile, dentists are focusing on creating lifelike, realistic teeth through cosmetic dentistry. For example, dental labs can create veneers that have natural grooves and other surface features that make them look more natural.  

Or, your dentist can whiten your smile and then match your veneers or dental bonding to this natural shade, rather than simply choosing the brightest possible color.  Cosmetic treatment with Invisalign is also growing in popularity. By straightening your teeth instead of simply covering them up, you can enhance your smile more naturally.  

Regardless of the treatments used, the result is a smile that looks bright, brilliant, and beautiful and makes you feel great about your appearance – but never looks fake, artificial, or out of place in your mouth.  

2. Digital Planning For Enhanced Smile Design

Today’s dentists have more tools than ever to help patients see the potential results of their cosmetic dental treatments. With intraoral scanners, 3D X-rays, and advanced computer programs, it’s easier than ever to give patients a “smile preview” and help them choose the options that will help them get the smile they’ve always wanted.  

Smile previews allow patients to see the potential results of treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding, or even dental implants. Using scans and photos of patients' existing teeth, dentists can easily give patients a “sneak peek” of what their mouths will look like after treatment.

These tools are also useful for helping patients visualize their potential results. 3D scans and detailed oral images are very helpful for dentists designing crowns, veneers, dental implants, and other prosthetics.

3. Combining Cosmetic & Restorative Treatment

Cosmetic and restorative treatments have always been complementary. But today’s cosmetic dentists have an even deeper understanding of how smile makeovers can help patients restore their smiles' natural function and appearance.

For example, a patient with severe tooth stains, who has also lost several teeth, and who has experienced teeth shifting may need Invisalign or a similar type of clear aligner therapy to shift their teeth into the proper positions. Then, they could get a set of dental implants to replace their missing teeth and veneers to cover up any stained or misshapen teeth.

The result? A beautiful, natural-looking smile also helps patients protect and preserve their oral health and avoid future complications like bone resorption, gum recession, oral infections, and more.

4. S.M.A.R.T Bone Grafting For Dental Implants

Along with severe tooth decay, missing teeth are one of the dental issues with the biggest negative impact on self-esteem. Not only does tooth loss affect the smile and bite, but as time goes on, people who’ve lost one or more teeth will experience bone resorption.

This makes their jaws too weak for a dental implant and can negatively affect their facial structure. For patients who have experienced tooth loss and bone resorption, bone grafting techniques such as S.M.A.R.T. bone grafting are the perfect solution.  

The S.M.A.R.T. technique uses laparoscopic surgery, which means only a tiny incision is needed during the bone grafting procedure. This speeds up healing, reduces complications, and allows patients to get dental implants more quickly.  

Ready To Enhance Your Smile? See Loftus Dental Difference!

If you need a cosmetic dentist in Rapid City to help you transform your teeth, our team is here to help! Drs. Jeff, Ron, and Rob Loftus are all experts in cosmetic care. Whether you’d just like teeth whitening for a brighter smile or you’re interested in a total smile makeover, we can help you reach your goals. Give us a call or schedule your first visit online to begin your journey toward the smile you’ve always wanted.

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