“People are much more conscious of their teeth; very few people do not go for some form of cosmetic dentistry these days,” says Dr Ed O’Flaherty of the Seapoint Clinic in Dublin. “They are prioritising their smiles more and are happy to spend money on them. You see all ages now, from the very young to very old, having cosmetic dentistry work.”
The good news is that it’s easier and more straightforward than ever. Invisalign was the game changer, eliminating the need for metal “train tracks” in almost all cases of misalignment. Dr Sarah Flannery of Azure Dental Clinic explains that there are myriad benefits to opting for this treatment.
“Invisalign can be effective for teenagers, adults and even older patients, as long as their teeth and gums are healthy,” she points out. “There is also a short treatment time, as many patients only need a short course of treatment, even just 14 weeks, to achieve noticeable improvements.”
Its discreet and minimally invasive design has also helped Invisalign’s popularity soar among dentists and their patients. “Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are discreet, comfortable and removable, making them ideal for any stage of life,” says Flannery.
‘A gas emergency would quickly turn into an electricity emergency. It is low-risk, but high-consequence’
How LEO Digital for Business is helping to boost small business competitiveness
‘I have to believe that this situation is not forever’: stress mounts in homeless parents and children living in claustrophobic one-room accommodation
Unlocking the potential of your small business
Cosmetic bonding involves applying composite resin – think what’s used in white dental fillings – to teeth to fill gaps and lengthen teeth. This used to be done essentially freehand but with digital smile design techniques patients can be confident that what they see in the mirror after treatment is exactly what they expected.
Flannery says she also uses cutting-edge materials to ensure natural-looking, long-lasting results.
“It’s ideal for worn dentition,” she says. “It’s a minimally invasive solution to restore worn teeth, improving both function and aesthetics.”
Historically, porcelain veneers were the default option for those seeking a true “Hollywood smile”. Yet both Flannery and O’Flaherty say this is no longer the case when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, mainly because of the high biological cost involved.
“People had their teeth filed and shaved down significantly to get a set of veneers,” explains O’Flaherty. “Twenty years ago it was hard to make teeth look good without cutting away some of the tooth structure but now with Invisalign we can move teeth without it being obvious that you have braces and then add on to them to perfect the smile.
The recent phenomenon of dental tourism makes O’Flaherty wince.
“People get their teeth cut down quite badly in these instances and the biological cost is very high, they are very likely to need root canal treatment when they are older and very likely to lose teeth when they are older, just for the sake of a quick job,” he says.
“We are very much against that. We try to straighten the teeth properly and preserve the tooth structure and just add on to it with composite bonding. It takes a little bit more time but it’s not even that much more expensive.”
Flannery adds: “Modern composite materials can achieve a more natural, subtle appearance, especially in cases requiring small refinements.”
