Virtually all Americans (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, so it should come as no surprise that cosmetic dentistry has become one of the biggest industries in dental technologies and services. While essentially all local dentists are cosmetic inherently, cosmetic dentistry refers specifically to services and procedures that are used to improve the appearance, but not necessarily the function, of one’s teeth, gums, and mouth.

On average cosmetic dentistry patients spend between $5000 and $6000 on procedures to improve their smile, but it’s more than just looking pretty in the mirror. In fact, 75% of people feel an unattractive smile could potentially harm their chance for career success. No matter what your particular reasoning having a beautiful smile is an invaluable trait. Here are three types of cosmetic dentistry to consider if you’re looking to improve yours.

1.) Implants/Veneers: Although not all dental insurance will cover it, implants and dental veneers are one of the best ways to fix broken teeth. Whether you’ve had a tooth knocked out, chipped, or otherwise in need or replacement the use of veneers has increased by over 250% in the past five years and for good reason. The success rate of dental implants has been reported in scientific literature as 98%.


2.) Orthodontics: Orthodontics was technically the first ever ‘specialty’ field created in dentistry. By definition it refers to procedures dealing with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and the jaws. Braces and retainers are the most commonly known and used form of this technology.


3.) Teeth Whitening: The least invasive yet potentially most noticeable form of cosmetic dentistry on an everyday basis is probably teeth whitening. Americans spend approximately $1.4 billion on tooth whitening products and procedures each year, an increase of over 300 percent over the past five years. Bleaching and laser whitening are some of the most recent methods, of course there are even do-it-yourself options tha you can buy from a grocery/pharmacy store.

Although it may not be the most important or vital aspect of dentistry in the grand scheme of things, cosmetic dentistry is an important factor in the world of dental care both on a financial/economic and personal level.