The Art Side of Dentistry: Aesthetics

By Dr. Rhys Spoor, D.D.S.

Imagine having patients come to your practice because they really want to, not because they feel they have to. Imagine a patient telling you how much of a positive change you have made in their life instead of complaining about how little their insurance paid for that last filling or root canal. Imagine seeking you out for your expertise and skill and not just because you are convenient or on the right list of preferred providers. Imagine enjoying what you do in your job and not dreading the next Monday and counting the days until you retire. You don't have to imagine, it all exists in a part of dentistry called aesthetics.

The outward benefits of a beautiful smile are apparent in two different examples in this article (Case 2 and Case 7). When these individuals were asked to smile for the camera, the posturing of the like appeared strained and uncomfortable. You will often times hear these patients lament how they dislike having their picture taken and how they have taught themselves to smile without showing their teeth. This often times is accompanied by a decrease in self-esteem and a pervasive discomfort with social interactions.

The smile is a uniquely human quality that is universally recognized and transcends language, culture, race, sex, time and socioeconomic differences. The smile can communicate love, happiness, sexiness, vitality, health, friendship, compassion, trust, acceptance, and safety. It is one of our most powerful communicative avenues. Interestingly, a beautiful smile is an indication of proper and healthy function, which for dentition lends to longevity.

As members of the dental team, we are able to be instrumental in enhancing the lives of our patients through improvements in oral health that affect both the body and the mind. The impact of that effect can be readily seen in the new found happiness and increase in self-esteem shown by patients after changing the form and function of their smile. Often there is a metamorphosis in overall appearance and improved social interactions as these people find the satisfaction of knowing they really are looking their best. And for many, looking good makes them feel good. Some view aesthetics as just being superficial and based on vanity and whim. On the contrary, aesthetics is the culmination of all the science and art that dentistry has to offer and many people in our society want the benefits that state-of-the-art dentistry has to offer.

Dr Rhys Spoor DDS Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry - Providing services in cosmetic and sleep dentistry to the area of Seattle, Washington.

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