Teeth and gums have a more significant impact on your life than you realize. WHO and CDC state that oral health is a vital indicator of overall health, quality of life and well-being. Poor oral health has been associated with cardiovascular disease, endocarditis (heart infection), pneumonia and birth complications.
WHO describes oral health as the state of the teeth, mouth and other orofacial structures that allow people to execute vital functions such as eating, speaking and breathing. They also add that it covers psychosocial aspects such as well-being, socialization and self-confidence.
More people are paying attention to their oral health through dental procedures. They improve health and smiles. The information below discusses the top 10 dental procedures of 2023.
Dental Procedures of 2023
Dental cleaning
One of the most common dental procedures is dental cleaning. The procedure removes plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) and tartar (hardened plaque) that accumulate on the teeth’ surface and gums. The plaque is associated with cavities and gingivitis, while tartar can attach to teeth.
Oral health specialists recommend bi-annual or annual visits to prevent problems associated with plaque and tartar. Though effective at maintaining good oral health, dentists ‘ tools are more effective than your home toothbrush.
Teeth whitening
The second most common dental procedure in 2023 was teeth whitening. It involves using bleaching agents (not actual bleach) to whiten the teeth. Teeth whitening is the most desired dental procedure, with approximately 40% of adults hoping to undergo it.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products such as pastes and strips have become increasingly popular. Yahoo Finance estimated that the market for such products was around USD 6,591. 35 million in 2021 and is expected to reach over 7,175– 47 million by the end of 2023. The global market for teeth whitening is expected to grow by over 4% annually.
Though whitening teeth, yourself is possible, dentists can do it better, faster and safer. Therefore, consider visiting your local dentists for the next whitening session.
Tooth extractions
With increased poor diet and oral hygiene, tooth extractions have been increasing along with cases of tooth decay and infection. Additionally, removing teeth before any dental problems, such as overcrowded and impacted teeth, has been gaining popularity.
As the name implies, tooth extractions involve simple or surgical extraction under anesthesia to reduce or eliminate any pain. However, the process may cause discomfort and soreness after.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-looking materials that are attached to the front surface of crooked or discolored teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers are mainly used to improve appearance but can be used to whiten too.
Veneers are made from porcelain or composite resin and are relatively painless to install. Famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage and American rapper Cardi B are examples of celebrities who have dental veneers.
Cavity fillings
Like tooth extractions, cavity fillings are increasingly popular. Cavities are caused by bacteria breaking down food into acids that destroy the enamel (teeth’ outer layer). Cavity fillings are a simple procedure that involves cleaning and filling the spaces left in teeth enamel using different types of materials.
Crowns
When cavities become too big to be fitted with fillings or the top of the teeth have become decayed, a crown may be used. A dental crown is a cap that is added to the top of damaged teeth to protect and restore the shape of the teeth. The crown can be made out of resin, ceramics, porcelain or metals like gold (like King Charles’ crown).
Root canal
The root canal (or endodontic treatment) is a treatment used to eliminate bacteria from an infected root canal, relieving pain, saving the affected tooth and reducing the chances of reinfection.
The treatment is infamous for its associated pain during and immediately after the procedure. However, modern root canal treatments are less painful, and anesthesia has improved.
With modern techniques and anesthesia, root canals are not more painful than fillings or wisdom tooth extraction. However, mild discomfort, soreness, and numbness are typical after the procedure.
Braces/Invisalign
Braces are dental tools used to straighten and correct crooked teeth by exerting light, constant pressure on the tooth roots for a certain period. The procedure is mainly done for cosmetic purposes. However, they can promote oral health through easier cleaning and increased alignment.
Unfortunately, the process is slow and may take years. However, Invisalign is a type of clear aligner that has been increasing in popularity. Invisalign is a brand name for a clear aligner that fits over the teeth making them less visible than traditional brackets and wire braces.
Former actor and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle had traditional braces during her younger years to align her teeth.
Bonding
Another way to repair damaged or chipped teeth is through a dental procedure known as bonding. Dental bonding involves using resin tinted to match your teeth’ color that is added to damaged teeth to close gaps and repair chips and shapes of your teeth.
Dental bonding is typically used for cosmetic repairs, including camouflaging discoloration. However, it can be used in restorative dentistry. This means dentists can use it to fill cavities, replace metal fillings or protect the root canal.
Dentures
Unlike braces that are associated with younger people, dentures are associated with the elderly population. Dentures are removable replacements designed to substitute missing teeth and surrounding tissue. Dentures can be partial– meaning some natural teeth remain– or complete, meaning all teeth are replaced.
Dentures are removable and can let you have a full working set of teeth again. Additionally, they should not be noticeable and can improve psychosocial aspects of life (self-confidence, socialization and well-being).
Conclusion
These are just ten of the most common dental procedures of 2023. Regular visits to dentists and proper care can significantly improve your oral health. WHO and CDC associate oral health with overall health meaning healthy teeth may improve overall health.
If you would like to undertake or discuss any of the above mentioned procedures, contact us to book your appointment. We will be happy to guide you in the right direction.