Cosmetic Dentistry Goes Mainstream: No Longer Just For Celebrities

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the many different forms of dentistry, though this one covers a very specific topic. Rather than focusing on preventative or reactive oral healthcare, cosmetic dentistry is all about how things look. It involves various treatments like teeth whitening and veneers, all of which are geared towards enhancing the individual’s smile or correcting various aesthetic concerns someone has in their mouth. 

There’s nothing inherently “new” about cosmetic dentistry, but what is new is the way in which this whole subset of dental health has changed over the years. It used to be something that was confined to celebrities, but cosmetic dentistry has entered the mainstream and is now more popular than ever. While there haven’t been many groundbreaking revolutions within the cosmetic dentistry industry to align with this surge in popularity (for instance, there aren’t many “new” treatment options), several things have changed over time to make it more popular with the general public. 

Tech Advancements Make Treatments Easier

When cosmetic dentistry really started taking off amongst the celebrity crowd, it was known for length procedures that took a lot of time and money. Essentially, this is what created the block between celebrities and the general public. Many of the treatments were seen as inaccessible for the average person – but technological advancements have changed that. 

Historically, teeth whitening treatments could take multiple hours and require numerous visits before a patient would see results. For the average person, this simply would not be feasible in terms of the costs and inconvenience. Fast forward to right now, and teeth whitening is infinitely more efficient. Sydney Cosmetic Dentist notes that a special light-activated gel was developed after years of research to transform how teeth whitening works. At their clinic, they’re able to see visible results in as little as one hour, meaning some patients only need one session and they’re done. 

Tech advancements throughout other areas of dentistry have helped the cosmetic side, too. Improvements in facial scanning allow cosmetic dentists to create better moulds so they can make more accurate dental veneers for teeth, and so on. Treatments, in general, are much easier than they used to be, which means they take up less time and become more affordable and accessible to the masses. 

The Emergence Of The Smile Economy

Part of the reasoning behind the growth of cosmetic dentistry in the mainstream has nothing to do with accessibility or affordability and everything to do with society as a whole. Many people argue that we’re living in a “smile economy” where smiles are now used almost as a personal branding tool for people and professionals. The power of a good smile can help candidates make good first impressions during job interviews, instil confidence when talking to business clients, or even help people find matches on dating apps. 

People now see cosmetic dentistry as an investment, rather than a luxury purchase. A subtle shift like this is all it takes to see a boom within this industry, and many people will genuinely say that their personal and professional life has improved as a result of boosting their smile aesthetics. 

Selfie Culture & Social Media

It is also no coincidence that the rise of cosmetic dentistry follows an almost perfect line alongside the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We now live in a world where everyone wants to document everything – and the selfie is now the go-to way for people to take photos. It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that we’re taking more photos of our faces than we ever have at any point in human history. 

Short-form video content on social media is also on the rise, and that will often involve close-up videos of your face as you talk. All of this creates a world where your teeth and your smile are on display, which leads to everyone being hyper-critical about how they look. Many people move towards cosmetic dentistry to whiten their teeth or repair a crooked smile so they feel more confident when taking selfies and posting them to social media. 

You could very easily argue that cosmetic dentistry would not be anywhere near as popular if social media didn’t exist. 

Breaking Down Taboos

For a long time, the whole concept of altering yourself physically was looked down upon in a mainstream sense. You’d see celebrities who’d undergo various cosmetic treatments – not just involving dentistry – and they’d always be criticised by the public. People had this idea that you should accept the way you look and be happy with it. 

Somewhere along the way, this opinion changed. While you still see negativity surrounding different cosmetic treatments – mainly involving celebrities who try to de-age themselves – things like teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants are all viewed as positive ways to improve your self-confidence. 

It is no longer seen as “taboo” to want to change part of the way you look. People now realise that they shouldn’t have to deal with a cosmetic “issue” if it impacts their life and lowers their self-esteem. Hair transplants are perhaps the biggest driving force behind this change in perception; we see lots of men now going to clinics to help reverse the signs of balding because it’s such a huge confidence drainer. The same applies to cosmetic dental treatments; the general public now thinks it’s perfectly reasonable to want whiter teeth if it’ll make you happier. 

Those last two points are probably the main driving forces behind the rise in cosmetic dentistry amongst the general public. Social media and society push us into positions where we’re on camera a lot, and everything gets shared with everyone. Combined with the fact that people now accept that it’s actually okay to want to change things about their appearance, it’s no wonder that cosmetic treatments are on the rise. Of course, this is coupled with the fact that cosmetic dentistry is definitely more accessible than it used to be, thanks to technological advancements in the treatment rooms. It feels as though we are just at the start of this trend, and it’ll be here to stay for a long time.