More than just keeping up appearances
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 12th December 2022
It’s no secret that cosmetic dentistry has been growing in popularity for some time. Being able to help patients achieve the results they desire in a safe and predictable way is important for optimising their satisfaction and retaining their loyalty. However, very high patient expectations and complex clinical needs can make treatment extremely challenging. Clinicians either need quality training and support to develop their skills into these advanced areas, or access to specialist services they can collaborate with.
Skyrocketing demand
There are several potential reasons for the increasing demand for cosmetic procedures in general. Interest in these treatments has become even greater since the pandemic thanks to the so-called ‘zoom boom’ phenomenon. Many people spent months if not years looking at themselves on screens during and since lockdowns – the extensive self-scrutiny would have no doubt contributed to increased desires for facial ‘tweakments’. Add to this the high – and often unobtainable – expectations created by both social and mainstream media, and you can see where the motivation comes from.
Of course, we shouldn’t forget that many patients seek cosmetic treatment – dental or otherwise – simply for their own gratification. Maybe there is a feature they have been feeling self-conscious about for years which they would like to correct. Perhaps they want to boost their confidence and feel that changing their appearance in some way will help with that. The fact of the matter is that cosmetic procedures can have a hugely positive impact on a patient’s quality of life – improving their psychosocial[i] and psychological wellbeing.[ii]
Much of the same can be said specifically of cosmetic dentistry. It’s well-documented that people make several assumptions about others based on their smile. For example, a beautiful smile is associated with attractiveness, success and intelligence.[iii] A healthy smile has also been linked with confidence and competence, which could even influence employment prospects.[iv] It makes sense, therefore, that people would want to optimise the appearance of their smiles in any way possible.
Not as simple as performing a quick procedure
The availability of cosmetic dental treatments is not the only consideration. The quality of the procedures, the predictability of outcomes and the longevity of results achieved all contribute to patient satisfaction. As such, even the seemingly straightforward cases always require very careful assessment, planning and execution.
High patient expectations today mean that individuals will accept nothing less than excellence from any procedure they are investing time and money into. Complex anatomies, varying clinical needs and extra pressures such as patient deadlines can make treatment complicated and demanding. It’s about so much more than just fitting a veneer – every tiny detail from the translucency of the restoration to the subtle colouring and finishing techniques used must be perfected to ensure life-like aesthetics. You need to think about the lab you work with and their processes, the technologies and instruments you use to design and fit the restoration, where your restorative materials are sourced and how they are manufactured…the list is endless. In addition, clinicians must develop a high level of skill, involving extensive and on-going training in a broad range of areas to be able to provide high-quality evidence-based dentistry.
Now more than ever, it is important for clinicians to make sure patients have access to the advanced – and quality – cosmetic dental solutions they seek. That’s why it is crucial to build working relationships with highly experienced colleagues who can provide complex treatment that may be beyond your remit. By collaborating with peers who lead the way in their fields, you are ensuring that your patients receive the absolute best dental care possible – something they will certainly appreciate and likely reward with increased loyalty to you.
Preparing for the future
The current trend for cosmetic dentistry is unlikely to change any time soon. If anything, it is predicted to continue growing for the next few years. Finding a practice you can collaborate with to deliver the highest quality, multidisciplinary dental treatment to your patients is vital. Lodge Dental is proud to offer state-of the-art facilities in their purpose-built referral centre. A range of treatments are provided by the team of experts and specialist dentists, including all manner of cosmetic and restorative dentistry such as gum plastic surgery, dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, full mouth rehabilitations and more. Additionally, the team offers Lodge Dental Study Clubs for dentists local to South Wales to develop their own knowledge and skills in various relevant clinical fields.
However you decide to prepare for the future, you can be certain that cosmetic dentistry will play an important role in keeping your patients satisfied.
Please visit www.lodgedental.co.uk/referrals for details on referring patients to Lodge Dental or visit www.lodgetraining.co.uk for the latest Study Clubs information
[i] Castle DJ, Honigman RJ, Phillips KA. Does cosmetic surgery improve psychosocial wellbeing? Med J Aust. 2002 Jun 17;176(12):601-4. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04593.x. PMID: 12064961; PMCID: PMC1851945.
[ii] McKeown, Darren J. BSc (Hons), MBChB, MRCS. Impact of Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Procedures on the Psychological and Social Dimensions of Health. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open: April 2021 – Volume 9 – Issue 4 – p e3578
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003578
[iii] Beall AE. Can a new smile make you look more intelligent and successful? Dent Clin North Am. 2007 Apr;51(2):289-97, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2007.02.002. PMID: 17532913.
[iv] Humm S. A healthy smile is good for job prospects, research shows. HRReview.co.uk. https://www.hrreview.co.uk/hr-news/wellbeing-news/smile-a-healthy-grin-is-good-for-your-job-prospects/54476#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAn%20attractive%20smile%20suggests%20confidence,can%20have%20the%20opposite%20effect.%E2%80%9D[Accessed October 2022]
