Let’s face it: we weren’t all born with the features we want and for many people, this includes their teeth. Cosmetic procedures to remedy and enhance various parts of the body have long been popular among people who want to lead the best lives they can, be happy with their looks and go on luxury holidays brimming with confidence and stunning those around them. Teeth, however, have taken something of a backseat in the cosmetic-dentistry makeover stakes.
Unless you live in the United States, where many people have show-stopping teeth due to the addition of crowns and snap on veneers, you’ve most likely put up with your pearly whites as they are. Until now. Dentists all over are reporting a marked increase in patients wanting an array of cosmetic procedures to revamp their gnashers and give them that winning Hollywood smile they’ve always wanted.
Teeth, after all, are for the most part not all that uniformly straight, and they’re hardly ever dazzlingly white, due to the staining effect of much of what we eat and drink — no matter how well you brush. Plus, many people are born with teeth that have various defects, whether it’s large gaps between them, incisors jutting out at odd angles, missing enamel and more. Our teeth are important for our looks because other than our eyes, they’re the main thing that people see when they meet us. And with a growing number of affordable cosmetic dentistry solutions now available in many places, it’s no wonder people are asking their dentists for crowns, veneers and whitening procedures to improve their look.
Taking a Bite Out of Cosmetic Dentistry
Such is the demand for cosmetic dentistry in Europe that it could soon overtake Americans’ love of perfect teeth, according to the results of a survey carried out by medical advice website RealSelf. It found that the overwhelming majority of people in the UK — 78% — who took part in the research were unhappy with some part of their face or body and wanted to change it. This, the survey said, compares to 80% of people in the US who have the same feelings, but those in Britain were more likely to take immediate steps to fix what they are not happy about.
The survey found that 40% of people in the UK intended to have a procedure — either surgical or non-surgical, such as Botox or dermal fillers, to smooth out facial wrinkles in the coming year — compared to 37% of their American cousins, who were just thinking about various cosmetic procedures and not ready to do anything yet.
But, it turned out, popular cosmetic procedures such as Botox was not the most desired solution; instead, most people (43%) wanted to undergo cosmetic dentistry to improve their teeth and overall appearance. This included using professional teeth-whitening products and having veneers and crowns fitted. The latter two are usually made from porcelain and bonded to the teeth. They have the effect of protecting the teeth while also straightening them out and making them look as white as a new fall of snow. With proper care, they’re designed to last decades.
Veneer of Happiness
In both the US and the UK, respondents to the survey said they were interested in cosmetic dentistry procedures to feel better about themselves. A total of 43% said veneers, crowns and teeth-whitening would improve their self-confidence. And an almost equal number in both countries — 35% of Brits and 34% of Americans — said having cosmetic dentistry would make them look as good as they feel, as sometimes people can feel amazing but be let down by such things as uneven or stained teeth and feel frustrated as a result.
Others (22% in the UK and 23% in the US) said they would like cosmetic dentistry to look younger while 22% and 20%, respectively, said it would help combat the ageing process. But major events in people’s lives were also a driving factor in respondents’ wanting to have cosmetic dentistry — such as milestone birthdays, weddings and even divorce, beginning a new job and embarking on a new relationship.
For a growing number of people around the world, there are now plenty of reasons — and opportunities — to dazzle with a celebrity and luxurious smile.
