Steve Brown considers the pressure for the ‘perfect’ smile.
As of February 2022, 84.3 per cent of the UK population were active on social media. Whilst this wide reaching online community can certainly have its benefits, some aspects can be harmful for users. Photo and video sharing platforms have given people of all ages constant access to strangers proudly sharing images of their ‘perfect’ features. Understandably, this can have a big impact on the average user’s self-image.
In dentistry, clinicians strive to meet the needs of their patients, by providing both functionality and aesthetics when carrying out restorative and cosmetic dentistry. The ability for practitioners to give their patients the smile they’ve dreamed about can be rewarding, and potentially life-changing for their patients.
The impact of social media
It is important not to underestimate the impact that social media can have on people’s self-perception. Research suggests that one in five adults in the UK worry about their body image because of posts on social media. Negative body image, particularly in young people and teenagers, can have a detrimental impact on their health with 37 per cent of teenagers feeling upset and ashamed about their bodies.
Research shows that, following exposure to ‘ideal’ facial images on social media, there is a significant increase in dissatisfaction with the user’s own smile. And, this isn’t exclusive to excessive exposure, as research showed that any use of social media, no matter how limited, had an impact on the user’s dissatisfaction.
For many patients, this exposure to ‘perfect’ smiles will highlight any small imperfections they see in their own teeth. This may cause them to consider undergoing aesthetic treatments to achieve their ideal smile. There are many options for cosmetic treatments that patients may come across online. Some may feel that orthodontic treatment is appropriate. For others, whitening is the goal, having seen so many social media users sporting perfectly white teeth. Some may even consider more invasive procedures such as veneers, crowns or dental implants. Whichever treatment patients feel they would like, many will expect their restorations to look beautiful and be unnoticeable.
Composite for great aesthetics
Composite could be the perfect solution for many patients, as it can enhance both aesthetics and functionality.
Composite is already widely used in restorative treatment, with many clinicians preferring it to amalgam for its combination of aesthetics and useability. For many patients, aesthetics will be of particular concern in the anterior region, but you should consider that some may have high expectations for the posterior as well. Composite can be used for cosmetic purposes, as clinicians are able to make small alterations to teeth, including anatomic form, shape, and colour. This relatively simple procedure can be achieved in as little as one session, and clinicians are able to change the overall appearance of patients’ smiles, while maintaining a natural look. Better still, this treatment is non-invasive, as it involves simply adding to the tooth, without the need for drilling extensively preparing the natural structures before-hand. Unlike crowns, the material is a far more conservative option. It is also relatively easy to remove and replace, and is a much more affordable option than many other cosmetic treatments – both initially and when repairs and replacements are required.
Finding the right tools
Most patients may expect their new composite restorations to be virtually unnoticeable from their natural dentition. While this can be done using composite, practitioners also need the right instruments to produce durable, highly aesthetic results.
The LM Arte instruments, distributed by J&S Davis, allow you to evenly apply and delicately sculpt composite for highly functional restorations with beautiful aesthetic results. This innovative range of instruments have been specifically designed for composite layering, each colour-coded with a specific use, providing the practitioner with the ability for precision. The LM Arte range will allow you to perform high-end anterior and posterior restorations, with results your patients will love.
By utilising high-quality tools and techniques, practitioners can provide their patients with outstanding results which meet their expectations. It’s important that patients choose cosmetic dentistry for the right reasons and, where possible, clinicians should explain that images seen online are often manipulated – so patients should manage their expectations of what is possible through cosmetic dental treatments for their specific situation. However, it’s important that clinicians understand the positive effect that aesthetic treatments may have on patients’ self-esteem. So, being able to provide a non-invasive, high-quality, aesthetic solution could be very beneficial to your patients.
For more information call 01438 747 344, email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk or visit www.js-davis.co.uk
References available on request.