Cosmetic Dentistry - the Truth!

Cosmetic Dentistry – The Truth!

The last five years has seen a rapid increase in the demand for cosmetic dentistry in the UK. Many more dental practices are offering this service. There have also been a number of celebrities who have improved their smiles with porcelain veneers, gum sculpting and whitening, which has kept cosmetic dentistry a hot topic in the press. Cosmetic dentistry can offer incredible smile transformations, which can have life-changing effects, but Dr Maurice Johannes, the principal of leading cosmetic dental practice, The Harley Street Smile Clinic, offers a word of caution. ‘If things were to go wrong, it’s not like getting a bad haircut. Teeth don’t just grow back, so the highest possible standards must be maintained’.

There is no formal qualification in cosmetic dentistry as a specialist field of dentistry in the UK.

Consumers need to be protected. The British Dental Association help line suggests asking your general dentist about cosmetic dental treatments. But as any dentist can offer cosmetic dentistry without a specialised qualification it’s important the public knows what to look for.

· Experience. As there is no formal qualification to show expertise in the field of cosmetic dentistry it is vital that the dentist has been practising this type of dentistry for many years and has fitted thousands of veneers.
· Sustaining Membership to the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) This is the worlds leading body dedicated to the advancement of cosmetic dentistry.
· Computer imaging. Protect yourself by agreeing the desired changes in advance with computer imaging, a 3D model or preferably both.
· Before and after photos. Ask to see before and after photos of previous patients to confirm the actual dentistry meets or exceeds the aesthetics of the imaging picture or model.
· Guarantee. Make sure you are happy with arrangements for rectifying problems should they occur. A guarantee of one or two years is standard, but some offer longer guarantees.
· Recommendation. As a final reassurance it is important to speak to others who have had similar work carried out, or at least read their written comments.

Although UK dentistry is thought to be some way behind the US, it is not all doom and gloom. Dr Maurice Johannes is optimistic about widespread improvements in cosmetic dentistry in the UK.

Dr Johannes has been a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) for 15 years and has found the depth of knowledge and ethical standards to be second to none. He is keen that UK dentists benefit from the excellent speakers he has met in the US at the AACD.

More and more UK dentists are taking cosmetic dentistry seriously. Since April 2002 dentists are legally required to take a certain number of hours continuing professional development each year, so many more dentists are brushing up their skills. To their credit, Independent Seminars organised the first World Aesthetic Congress, a 3-day conference with numerous lecturers from around the world, which is held in London every year.

Independent seminars also offer numerous courses in cosmetic dentistry year round. They report an increase of 1200% in seminars provided in the last 10 years. Over 50% of these seminars are cosmetically orientated. 20% of UK dentists now attend at least one Independent Seminar a year.

Whilst this is highly encouraging it still means 80% of UK dentists do not regularly attend these courses. Make sure the dentist you wish to carry out cosmetic dental treatment can adequately demonstrate specific training attendance, up-to-date techniques and experience.

Cosmetic dentistry can change the smile you hide into the smile of your dreams and can be a life changing experience. Just make sure you do a little research to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for.

The Harley Street Smile Clinic’s aim is to provide cosmetic dentistry to the highest technical and artistic standards in a reassuring and stress-free environment.

For more info go to www.harleystreetsmileclinic.co.uk or contact Jill Haldane on 020 7193 3448 or info@harleystreetsmileclinic.co.uk