Great Looking Teeth…. The latest fashion accessory.

Whenever the word ‘dentist’ is mentioned, even in the lightest mode of conversations, you will always see reactions ranging from a cringed face to a panic outburst of “oh no, please…no thanks!”.

No wonder some of us are still having less than perfect looking teeth.

When you think about it, in this day and age of new technology, better health services and facilities, coupled with perhaps higher income and better employment benefits, there really should be no more reason for any of us not to seek proper dental care. In fact, one could assume that even the very poor should not have bad teeth with the availability of government-run clinics and all.

Bad teeth is now a thing of the past. But let’s take this subject up a notch – let’s explore the subject of not just good teeth but Great Looking Teeth. Is that something that you only see on TV?

Great looking teeth is everywhere. What used to be a status symbol for the rich and famous and western movie stars alike has become an obsession to some and an aspiration to many. We watch hours upon hours of the blue and silver screens where actors, tv hosts and personalities have great looking set of teeth and this sets a new norm so much so that seeing a face adorned with crooked teeth every now and then feels incredibly odd.

For well over a decade the trend-setters for great looking teeth may have spent a good chunk of their income in acquiring and maintaining their set of pearly whites; spending time and money on cosmetic dental treatments ranging from teeth whitening, teeth bonding, crowns and veneers. While orthodontic treatment has been considered a normal “grooming” routine at a younger age, some have even opted for dental surgery such as dental implants and oral-maxillofacial surgery in more severe conditions.

The good thing to have come out of the phenomena is that the general public is more conscious and more aware of how important it is to have healthy looking set of teeth.

“To me, having a nice set of teeth is very important. It gives me confidence, especially when interacting with people. Knowing that your teeth look good will make you feel good, and you can smile or giggle as you like”, says Puan Rozzana Dato’ Rahmat, a businesswoman who runs a well known travel agency in Kuala Lumpur.    
 

Although Puan Rozzana feels that generally Malaysians have not quite caught up with the benefits of cosmetic dental treatment, she agrees that it is becoming popular as services are readily available and affordable.

“With new technology being offered in dental treatment, anyone can have a nice set of teeth. Unfortunately some just don’t feel that this is important,” adds Puan Rozzana who is a patient at Dentalpro in Bangsar.

For Dentalpro’s Clinical Director, Dr Syed Muhamad Azman, basic dental care is a must, but cosmetic dental treatment is an investment in more ways than one.

“Many people make the mistake of looking at their teeth as mere tools that perform certain functions such as eating and they feel that teeth appearance is not important as they are “inside” our mouth, so to speak. I feel that nice set of teeth enhances one’s appearance without a doubt”.

Good looks, great skin and hair can only be topped off with a great smile. Spending your hard earned money on dental treatment is really an investment. The return is more beautiful smile, improved self confidence and teeth that are fully functional. The choice to make would be the duration of the returns; ie. if you are looking for a short term, medium term or a long term solution to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Dr Syed emphasized that there are many options available in cosmetic dentistry and one only has to consult a dentist for the one that suits his/her condition, budget and expectation. There are solutions for teeth that have been structurally affected or even no teeth at all. Teeth can be treated, restored or completely replaced to give you a beautiful smile. “To me, having a nice set of teeth is very important. It gives me confidence, especially when interacting with people. Knowing that your teeth look good will make you feel good, and you can smile or giggle as you like”

“Having your dental treatment at the right time will ensure that you will have a good smile for a long time. In some treatments such as orthodontic and oral surgery, the result could last you a lifetime”, he adds.

And yet there are still bad looking teeth out there.

Dr Syed attributes this to ignorance. Ignorance leads to fear of the dentist, lack of awareness and negligence. Nowadays information on cosmetic dental treatment is readily available. Cosmetic dental treatments are generally affordable and there are options within the various solutions offered. And there is no doubt of the quality of cosmetic dental treatment provided by Dentalpro as well as a number of other dental facilities. Malaysia has been producing highly qualified dentists and specialist and over the past decade, we have seen a significant rise in the quality of dental care services. For Dentalpro, the increasingly large number of patients from developed countries seeking cosmetic dental treatment at its facility is a validation of quality and standard of service.

And those who cringe at the word “dentist” can rest assured that there is very minimal discomfort associated with cosmetic dental treatment.

Dr Syed, who throughout his experience had heard quotes from patients such as “ I’d rather go through child birth 10 times than see a dentist”; believes that there is now a higher level of awareness and interest in pursuing those great looking set of teeth. Cosmetic dental treatment is not just sought after by public figures but by people of all walks of life. More and more Malaysians are seeking cosmetic dental treatment to improve their appearance. Many (older) adults are even willing to wear braces as they understand the benefits to enjoy once the treatment is completed.

People are more open to the idea now. They acknowledge that bad looking teeth is simply out of fashion.

 

 

Datin Rozita Talib
Visit Dentalpro at: www.dentalpro.org