As of February this year, 84.3% of the UK population were active on social media.[i] Whilst this wide reaching online community can certainly have its benefits, some aspects can be harmful for users. Photo and video sharing platforms have given people of all ages constant access to strangers proudly sharing images of their ‘perfect’ features. Understandably, this can have a big impact on the average user’s self-image.
In dentistry, clinicians strive to meet the needs of their patients, by providing both functionality and aesthetics when carrying out restorative and cosmetic dentistry. The ability for practitioners to give their patients the smile they’ve dreamed about can be rewarding, and potentially life changing for their patients.
The impact of social media
It is important not to underestimate the impact that social media can have on people’s self-perception. Research suggests that 1 in 5 adults in the UK worry about their body image because of posts on social media.[ii] Negative body image, particularly in young people and teenagers can have a detrimental impact on their health with 37% of teenagers feeling upset and ashamed about their body.[iii]
Further to this, research shows that, following exposure to ‘ideal’ facial images on social media, there is a significant increase in dissatisfaction with the user’s own smile. And, this isn’t exclusive to excessive exposure, as research showed that any use of social media, no matter how limited, had an impact on the user’s dissatisfaction.[iv]
For many patients, this exposure to ‘perfect’ smiles will highlight any small imperfections they see in their own teeth. This may cause them to consider undergoing aesthetic treatments to achieve their ideal smile. There are many options for cosmetic treatments that patients may come across online. For some, they may feel that orthodontic treatment is appropriate. For others, whitening is the goal, having seen so many social media users sporting perfectly white teeth. Some may even consider more invasive procedures such as veneers, crowns or dental implants. Whichever treatment patients feel they would like, many will expect their restorations to look beautiful and be unnoticeable.
Composite for great aesthetics
Composite could be the perfect solution for many patients, as it can enhance both aesthetics, and functionality.
Composite is already widely used in restorative treatment, with many clinicians preferring it to amalgam for its combination of aesthetics and useability.[v] For many patients, aesthetics will be of particular concern in the anterior region, but you should consider that some may have high expectations for the posterior as well. Composite can be used for cosmetic purposes, as clinicians are able to make small alterations to teeth, including anatomic form, shape, and colour.[vi] This relatively simple procedure can be achieved in as little as one session, and clinicians are able to change the overall appearance of patients’ smiles, while maintaining a natural look. Better still, this treatment is non-invasive, as it involves simply adding to the tooth, without the need for drilling extensively preparing the natural structures before-hand. This means that, unlike crowns, the material is a far more conservative option. It is also relatively easy to remove and replace, and is a much more affordable option than many other cosmetic treatments – both initially and when repairs and replacements are required.
Finding the right tools
Most patients may expect their new composite restorations to be virtually unnoticeable from their natural dentition. While this can be done using composite, practitioners also need the right instruments to produce durable, highly aesthetic results.
The LM Arte instruments, distributed by J&S Davis, allow you to evenly apply and delicately sculpt composite for highly functional restorations with beautiful aesthetic results. This innovative range of instruments have been specifically designed for composite layering, each colour-coded with a specific use, providing the practitioner with the ability for precision. The LM Arte range will allow you to perform high-end anterior and posterior restorations, with results your patients will love.
By utilising high-quality tools and techniques, practitioners can provide their patients with outstanding results which meet their expectations. It’s important that patients choose cosmetic dentistry for the right reasons and, where possible, clinicians should explain that images seen online are often manipulated[vii] – so patients should manage their expectations of what is possible through cosmetic dental treatments for their specific situation. However, it’s important that clinicians understand the positive effect that aesthetic treatments may have on patients’ self-esteem. So, being able to provide a non-invasive, high-quality, aesthetic solution could be very beneficial to your patients.
For more information on the industry-leading products available from J&S Davis, visit www.js-davis.co.uk, call 01438 747 344 or email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk
Author: Steve Brown Director of Sales and Marketing J&S Davis Ltd
[i] Statista. Active social media audience in the United Kingdom (UK) in February 2022. (Date accessed: 15.07.22) https://www.statista.com/statistics/507405/uk-active-social-media-and-mobile-social-media-users/
[ii] Corporé. Social medias negative influence on body image. (Date accessed: 15.07.22) https://www.corpore.co.uk/news/news/social-media-s-negative-influence-on-body-image
[iii] Mental Health Foundation. Millions of teenagers worry about body image and identify social media as a key cause. (Date accessed: 15.07.22) https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/news/millions-teenagers-worry-about-body-image-and-identify-social-media-key-cause-new-survey-mental
[iv] Sampson A, Jeremiah HG, Andiappan M, Newton JT. The effect of viewing idealised smile images versus nature images via social media on immediate facial satisfaction in young adults: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Orthodontics. 2020;47(1):55-64. doi:10.1177/1465312519899664 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1465312519899664
[v] Healthline. What you should know about composite fillings. (Date accessed: 15.07.22) https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/composite-fillings
[vi] da Cunha, Leonardo Fernandes, et al. “Cleidocranial dysplasia case report: remodeling of teeth as aesthetic restorative treatment.” Case reports in dentistry 2014 (2014). https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crid/2014/901071/
[vii] Shen C, Kasra M, Pan W, Bassett GA, Malloch Y, O’Brien JF. Fake images: The effects of source, intermediary, and digital media literacy on contextual assessment of image credibility online. New Media & Society. 2019;21(2):438-463. doi:10.1177/1461444818799526 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1461444818799526
