NEWSFLASH:
A new report just released has stated a popular belief that rapid orthodontics causes damage to the teeth is FALSE. As discussed on the site www.UnorthodocsNewsletter.com the contrary has been shown, which means longer treatment times in braces can INCREASE specific complications associated with orthodontics. This is reassuring news to dentists offering High Speed BracesTM (and other accelerated orthodontic programs) and bad news for orthodontists and dentists who thought it was fine to extend treatment for many years without added risks. Patients are encouraged to mention this new finding with their dental professional.
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The AANAD is a group of dentists who feel the profession has to take a step back and ask itself if the concept of cosmetic dentistry has strayed off track. Have dentists participated a little too much in the promotion of the unrealistic ideals demonstrated in the media? Do patients know the extent to which computer image enhancement has removed celebrity imperfections?
The common perception of a perfect smile has come to resemble an old style porcelain denture with poker straight, opaque, and of course blindingly white broad dentition. The subtle irregularities, imperfections, varied translucencies and such that are naturally occurring in even the healthiest untouched enamel have become signs of disease which seem to require expensive cures.
These treatments usually involve porcelain veneers with some loss of healthy enamel or if they are bonded over the unprepared enamel it is unlikely they would be easily removed without risk of damage to the underlying tooth structure. The use of orthodontics has become neglected in favor of more aggressive forms of care used in "Instant Makeovers" which are rarely the top choice from a conservative professional observation.
Even traditional orthodontics has become obsessed with a view of cosmetics that often subjects patients to extremely long and drawn out treatment times with circumstances which are at least slightly uncomfortable. The additional time used to gain this level of perfection is often wasted due to the slight relapse that occurs in the real world. Pictures are taken to prove that "everything was perfect" on the day the braces came off. Head shaking in disapproval it is then deemed the patient's fault when retainers are not worn and teeth shift off from where they posed for the photography session for the "Before and After" album.
Is there a compromise that helps dentists conservatively improve the aesthetics of a smile while maintaining a healthy respect for a natural look? Use of whitening, conservative composite bonding sometimes combined with a relatively short duration of orthodontics (using gentle forces) usually is sufficient for the improvement of the majority of the cosmetic dental situations encountered.
Teeth are more of an accessory than the primary source of attractiveness that they are sometimes portrayed. The smile is part of a larger package that forms the person's image. If the teeth are relatively straight and as bright as the whites of a person's eyes they usually will be considered pleasing. In fact when teeth are too uniform and monochromatic they appear fake and lose their natural appeal. The members of this relatively silent society feel it is time to get back to nature and educate the public about new alternative treatment modalities that have different goals than ones being aggressively promoted by certain dental interest groups.
One of the newest breakthroughs is the trademark 3 Month Braces program. It is designed to treat mild to moderate crowding and spacing in an extremely short time to compete with porcelain veneers. It may be worth a look especially if you have concerns about mild to moderate crowding. You can also visit www.CrookedSmileContest.com for more details.
