How Are Millennials Transforming the Way We Approach Dental Care?

Once considered a mandatory chore that was often painfully excruciating, the millennial approach to dental care is smarter, more aesthetic and holistic. Dental care is now more closely tied to overall wellbeing than ever before, with most millennials considering the impact their smiles can have on their self-confidence and self-esteem. The introductive of cutting-edge technological interventions has further eased this passage, by not only reducing the amount of time invested in routine dental appointments but also improving the quality of care received during dental appointments.

Cosmetic smile makeovers
From reducing the appearance of ageing by up to two decades to encouraging individuals to smile more (and wider)—the impact of a smile makeover on an individual’s appearance and self-image cannot be overstated. These procedures can address multiple dental defects, including misaligned and chipped teeth, stains and missing teeth, and go beyond the surface level to correct existing dental work (such as composite fillings) that may affect the aesthetics of your smile. These treatments work hand-in-hand alongside gum depigmentation to offer a perfect set of pearly whites. Through innovations such as Digital Smile Design, individuals can participate in the smile designing process and visualise the after-effects of their smile makeovers before investing in the process.

One-hour brightening
Ambitious millennials understand all too well the role a confident smile can play in their professional advancement and social networks. Dull, stained and yellow teeth can be addressed with novel peroxide-based treatments that clear stains without affecting the health of the teeth. This non-invasive, lunch-hour treatment offers instant results that last for up to two years.

Aligned with the future
Discreet but impactful, invisible braces have made orthodontic treatments much more accessible for adults, without compromising on aesthetics during the treatment. These wafer-thin aligners offer all the efficacy of conventional braces, while also the added convenience of being able to remove them white eating, drinking and brushing. Modern aligners are composed using digital mapping and moulding technology that is far more accurate and involves shorter durations. Clear aligners are also much more comfortable and do not irritate the gums or cheeks.

Form and function
Dental implants do more than help individuals bite and chew with ease—they can make you look older and lead to crowding and other types of misalignment if left unattended. This is where hi-tech implants can help—by mimicking the appearance and functionality of natural teeth, impacts offer a lifelong solution and involve a sophisticated blend of artistry with surgical precision. Innovations such as 3D CBCT scans add to the accuracy with which implants can be designed and executed.

Overall quick fixes
Bonds that correct minor flaws, ceramic veneers that repair stained, chipped, crooked or disproportionate teeth, and remove unwanted gaps, and gum and teeth recontouring are all subtle but very impactful interventions that are gaining popularity among millennials.

With more awareness, greater spending power and increased attention to detail, millennials are uniquely poised to leverage the recent strides in dental care. The combination of hygiene, dental health and appearance is what drives millennials to invest wisely and consciously in their oral healthcare and choose treatments that are sophisticated and effective.
-With inputs from Dr. Karishma Jaradi, Head Dental Surgeon- Dentzz Dental