If performed skilfully on the right patients, at the right time, for the right reasons, can be life enhancing for many people
By Celebrity Cosmetic Dentist, Dr Riddhi Katara
We found out everything you need to know about the latest frontier in beauty: from Instagram-perfect smiles to cosmetic tweakments, dental tech and what to watch out when it comes to your teeth.
There is little doubt that a genuine smile is a truly wonderful thing. However, despite laughing around eight times a day, the research shows that a) a lot of us are self-conscious about our teeth and yet, conversely, b) we’re still not very good at actually looking after our teeth.
A survey carried out found that 57 per cent of People feel so insecure about the appearance of their teeth, they hide them when smiling or laughing. Yet, despite these concerns, it’s evident we’re not quite there yet in terms of looking after our teeth. Almost one-in-five people only visit the dentist when something is wrong (FYI, men are worse than women on this), 29 per cent admit to not having seen the dentist at all in the last six months and only 63 per cent of people actually clean their teeth twice a day.
According to cosmetic dentist Dr Riddhi Katara: “The days of going to the dentist and just blindly doing as we are told are long over. We’re far more involved in every aspect of our lives and appearances now and we’re used to being in control of every decision that affects our health and beauty.”
An Instagram-perfect smile
When it comes to our teeth, this means we have higher expectations than ever; the current trend is for super straight and shockingly white teeth and—perhaps, not so shockingly—it’s being fuelled by social media. “People want to look like they’re filtered,” says Dr Riddhi Katara. “There are many Instagram and Snapchat filters that make your nose smaller, your lips fuller and your teeth bigger and brighter. People are addicted to seeing this version of themselves and they want to look like that in real life, despite it not actually being achievable.” It is for this very reason that Instagram announced in October that it would be removing all augmented reality (AR) filters with plastic surgery effects. Whether this move has any kind of real impact on how people—especially young and impressionable adults—see themselves and what they aspire to look like, remains to be seen.
But, what about the rest of us? Surely the majority of those considering some kind of cosmetic dentistry are only looking to improve on what they’ve already got? After all, the Ross Geller-esque teeth we see on Instagram and reality TV aren’t for the faint hearted. “I think the majority of us are coming round to a more natural look,” says Dr Riddhi. “Whether we’re talking facial fillers or cosmetic dentistry, tweakments are the way forward and that’s very much my own aesthetic; my work is minimally invasive.”
Top of the cosmetic trends
At the top of everyone’s list is Smile Designing, says Dr Riddhi. Usually done using Porcelain Veneers. It’s the fastest, minimally Invasive, absolutely painless method to get you that Hollywood Smile you always desired. Porcelain Veneers are porcelain facings done on your own original teeth that give you the perfect smile!
Another method, “People are still choosing fixed braces, in particular the kind that sit behind the teeth. They’re discreet, but the downside is they’re expensive and they can cut up your tongue.” As far as Dr Riddhi is concerned, Invisalign—the clear retainer that can be popped in and out of the mouth—is the gold standard. “You wear Invisalign for 22 hours a day and it straightens your teeth, it’s that simple. Despite being around for years, we’re seeing a lot of innovation with Invisalign. Moving on from messy moulds, Invisalign uses iTero, a piece of technology that scans the teeth and shows within just one minute what the results will be at the end of the treatment. In a digital world where we expect everything to be instant this is brilliant, because it allows me to show patients what they can expect from the start.”
Digital Smile Design is a technique that uses pictures and videos of you to virtually bring your new teeth to life and superimpose them onto your face as the ultimate try-before-you-buy.
Caution: don’t be lured into signing up for direct-to-consumer at-home straightening kits, your teeth need to be assessed in real life by a dentist before you can be confident that your gums and teeth are suited to aligners. “There have been a few cases where people have actually pulled out their own teeth because they had gum disease and were not suitable for treatment,” warns Dr Riddhi.
Healthy teeth via dental tech
Cosmetic dentistry can’t work miracles, so if your foundations are weak, you won’t see the results you might be hoping for. Twice-daily brushing (minimum) and flossing are non-negotiable if you don’t want to see decay set in.
If you have ever tried to fib your way through a dental examination you’re in for a shock. Not content with just cleaning, the latest electric toothbrushes connect to an app on your phone so that you can see at a glance where your brushing routine may be falling short. Toothbrushes like Oral-B Genius X with Artificial Intelligence and Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected, use motion sensors to analyse your brushing technique and report back on areas where improvement is needed. One day soon, Dr Riddhi believes dentists will be able to use this information too. “Your dentist can collate your data via the app and then create a tailored programme for your own needs.”
Watch out for natural alternatives
Like most sectors of the health and beauty industry, oral care is feeling the impact of consumers looking for natural and organic products. However, unlike your skincare routine, your at-home dental regimen is unlikely to benefit from natural products. Charcoal toothpaste, for example, should be avoided at all costs.
“People have just become way too health obsessed, to the point that they embrace every fad going,” says Dr Riddhi. “Charcoal has its benefits—for example, it’s used in hospitals to counteract the effects of poison—but it doesn’t have a place in your dental routine. At worst, it’s too abrasive and strips away your enamel, damaging your teeth and staining white fillings, and because it’s black you tend to scrub harder to remove it. At best, it does absolutely nothing, making it a complete waste of money.”
