The importance of discussing any type of proposed cosmetic  treatment with your dentist has been underlined in a recent article on ‘celebrity smiles’ featured in a Body & Soul supplemt in The Times national newspaper.

Dental veneers and teeth-whitening treatments came under the microscope in the article written by Simon Crompton, who quoted the concerns of some dentists that patients are not always presented with the complete facts or alternatives.

Veneers, involving removing a layer of tooth to replace with white porcelain or resin, “have to be very carefully looked after and need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years”, said one dentist quoted in the article.

It was noted that some younger female patients, with slightly rotated teeth or with small gaps between them, asked for veneers – when orthondontics, which could correct teeth over several months without damaging them, was the best option.
He regularly referred patients to an orthodontist but, as the article makes clear, “Not everyone has a dentist who does this”.

Reassuringly, the qualified dental and orthodontic specialists at the Chelsea Dental Clinic have a great deal of experience in the complexities of cosmetic dentistry, and it is an absolute ‘must’ among all members of the team to discuss and communicate all aspects of treatment with a patient before it is agreed.

The article stressses the importance of discussing the  advantages and disadvantages of treatments with patients – which is common practice at the Chelsea Dental Clinic, where a range of orthodontic alternatives to veneers, such as Invisalign, the 6-Month Smile, Inman Aligner, Damon Braces and Lingual Braces, are regularly recommended and carried out by the team.

“Dentists have a professional responsibility to inform them (patients) of the options”, said the article, adding that “The General Dental Council’s code of conduct says that dentists must explain the treatment proposed, the risks involved and alternative treatments”.
Quoting James Goolnik, the president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), which has a membership of 1,000, including specialists at the Hereford Dental Clinic, out of the 26,000 dentists in the UK, it continues:
“New orthodontic procedures, such as invisible braces, are much quicker and less obvious (than veneers), which make them more appealing to patients. Dentists are also more aware that veneers aren’t the only option, and are getting that over to patients”.

The article also covers the investigation by consumer watchdog Which? into teeth whitening advertised on some popular websites, and already discussed on Chelsea Dental Clinic  web pages, pointing out that dentists can safely tailor treatment according to your teeth and their sensitivities.
It concludes: “The simplest – and cheapest – way to foster a Hollywood smile is to look after your teeth: have them scaled and polished regularly, stop smoking, and cut down on strong-coloured foods and drinks that may stain”.