Cosmetic Dentistry Through The Years: Trends & Developments

Cosmetic dentistry has been around for many years, probably longer than actual dentistry. For thousands of years, people have made changes to their pearly whites, both for style and practical uses.

Here are some prominent examples of cosmetic dentistry from over the years.

Tooth Sharpening

Human tooth sharpening has been a famous way to modify teeth that is actually a part of many cultures. In recent years, manually sharpening teeth has become more of a cosmetic choice, but historically it is linked to spiritual purposes. For example, in Bali, there is a ritual known as Potong gigi (cut teeth). In this teenagers have their canine teeth filed down as it is thought they contain negative emotions such as anger. After the ritual, the teenagers are then considered adults.

Tooth Gems

Tooth gems are another piece of cosmetic dentistry that has seen a resurgence in recent years, but can be traced back quite far. Ancient Mayan civilisations used teeth embellishments as an indicator of wealth and status, and they have been found in preserved skulls of the time. They used disks made of stones such as pyrite or jade.

While these types of gems were more permanent, nowadays tooth gems are typically designed to only be worn for a short period and easily removed, so you can easily change up your tooth gems.

Grills

While the other items in this list affect your teeth directly, grills are a type of jewellery that is worn over the teeth, although some can be permanently attached. Grills rose in popularity in the mid-80s, worn by hip-hop artists before reaching more mainstream pop culture success. Grills are typically made of metals such as silver or gold and inlaid with precious stones. Grills can be more generic or can be specifically made to the shape of a person’s mouth.

Veneers

Veneers are very prominent in today’s society, with everybody from celebrities to the working man rocking them. It is a layer of material placed over the teeth that can improve the aesthetics of a mouth and also protect a tooth’s surface from any damage. Nowadays veneers can typically last between 10-30 years, being very resistant to damage. Porcelain veneers are the choice many go for, as they are more durable and less likely to stain than other materials like composite.

Acorn Dental Health - Your Local Dental Experts

Cosmetic dentistry is all the rage nowadays and can be used as a stylish choice or to make somebody more comfortable with their smile. At Acorn Dental Health, we offer cosmetic dentistry treatments that will make you more confident and happy with your teeth.

Our cosmetic dentistry services include teeth whitening, white fillings, orthodontic treatments, inlays, onlays and Invisalign braces. As well as this we have a range of dental treatments on offer, including emergency dentistry, dentures, facial aesthetics and more.

If you’d like to find out more about our treatments, call us today at 01489 782 166.