Your smile is often one of the first things that people notice about you, and more and more everyday people are investing in dental care to make sure their teeth are shining white and as straight as a line of soldiers. Read on to discover the latest advances the dental world has to offer you.
Blinded by the White
Teeth whitening – once seen only in celebrity circles – is now the norm and many Australians are now investing in whitening toothpaste, gels, strips and treatments at the dentist. With such an array of options on the market, what is the difference you ask? Research has found that the best teeth whitening system is in the chair option offered by dentists, as this strengthens the enamel over time. Conversely, home whitening systems can contribute to the loss of mineral content within the enamel, weakening your teeth over time, making them more sensitive and adding to your risk of tooth decay.
Veneers
The alternate option if your teeth aren’t your best feature is to get veneers. These wafer-thin porcelain layers are bonded onto the surface of the tooth and can alter the colour, shape or position. They are a high-cost, long-term option and results can vary dramatically so make sure that you find a dentist that you trust before you head down this path!
Environmentally Friendly Products
With one of the largest environmental footprints per capita, Australians are becoming increasingly aware of the need to consider the end-to-end lifespan of their products. The zero waste and ethical shopping movements are having an impact on the consumer mindset, and this has led to the emergence of environmentally friendly dental products, such as bamboo toothbrushes and biodegradable floss. You can even find bamboo brushes in Coles and Woolworths nowadays.
3D Printers
3D printing is turning the way we think about producing products on its head, and the orthodontic industry is no exception. Retainers, veneers, crowns, and inlays are being created using high-tech 3D printers. The process is set to reduce the cost and time required to fix a broken tooth while being completely customised to your mouth. As technology advances, we may even see printed biomaterials that are created to be compatible with your bone and gum.
Advancements in Invisalign
Invisalign has been available to the public since the year 2000 so it isn’t exactly new, but it is advancing and evolving all the time. With each passing year, its ability to treat a broader range of orthodontic issues grows. In a nutshell, the treatment involves crafting a series of plastic retainers that must be worn at all times (except when eating or drinking). These adjust the placement of the teeth incrementally. The higher comfort level (no sharp bits of metal sticking into your soft inner mouth) and discrete appearance of Invisalign have consumer demand growing all the time.
Robot Dentists
With robotics having been deployed in so many industries across the world, it is little wonder the technology is now entering the world of dentistry too. The use of robots ensures absolute precision and eradicates human error. Robotics can also help bypass the challenge of being able to see and maneuver instruments in such a small space as the human mouth. In 2017, a robot dentist in China implanted two artificial teeth into a woman’s mouth successfully, and this is a practice that is expected to become commonplace.
So, there you have it – if you have been lusting after whiter than ever pearly whites, it might be time to pay a visit to your dentist.
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