Tremendous changes are taking place in dentistry. It has become one of the most appealing professions to young college graduates. Dental school GPAs have surpassed medical school GPAs for the first time ever. Applications have quadrupled from 10 years ago. Why the big change? Patients are now going to the dentist and instead of asking if they have any cavities, they are asking about ways to improve their appearance. This shift from “need based” dentistry to “want based” dentistry is what is fueling these changes.
During the “dark ages” of dentistry, the dentist was seen as a necessary evil. Taking care of needs like decay, infection and trauma was the norm for a dentist back then. He had to manage with the same technology that had existed for the past 50 years. Little changed in the technology because little changed in the procedures that he was doing. In the mid 1990s, advancements in dental porcelains and implants aided the boom in cosmetic dentistry. Names like eMax, feldspathic, Empress, zirconia, Lava and others infiltrated the dental porcelain market. People saw that porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers could be made to look natural. But these advancements required new technologies and continuing education. For dentists who invested the time and money, the dividends have been tremendous. The patients come to the office excited about seeing their new smile instead of dreading a procedure that will not have any affect on their appearance.
“Want based” dentistry is here to stay. It has created a demand that is changing the scope of the dental profession. With it comes the necessity and responsibility to adapt to new technologies. Our office prides itself on having the latest technology available for cosmetic dentistry procedures. Come in and see what we can do for your smile.