As the global population continues to get older causing older people to outnumber those of working age there are a number of health implications in terms of the complexity of conditions and the costs involved. This is a particular issue in Europe where it has been likened to a ticking time bomb. Among these health implications is oral health, many of which require cosmetic treatments such as dental crown procedures.
Studies have shown that age-related conditions commonly develop in the area of oral health and this means growing pressure on demand for dentistry services, not to mention the cost pressure on older patients who have to pay for the costlier aspects of cosmetic dentistry such as dental crown procedures. This aging demographic has been cited as a reason for the major growth forecast in the global dental crowns and bridges market, which is set to surpass US$4 billion by 2025.
How popular are dental crowns?
Market researchers have drawn attention to the typical characteristics that begin to creep in as people get older. These include dental cleaning becoming less regular and reduced awareness of the implications of poor oral health. This in turn will increase the need for cosmetic dentistry treatment such as crowns and bridges, with dental crown procedures taking precedence through a forecast maintenance of its 65% dominance of the 2017 global market as we head towards 2025.
Why are dental crowns needed and what types are there?
There are a number of reasons why a dental crown procedure might be required. Protecting a weakened tooth or restoring an already broken tooth are two of the most common reasons, while a dental crown can also be used to hold a bridge in place or cover a dental implant or discoloured, misshapen tooth. Dental crowns can even be used on children and are mainly employed to protect teeth from decay in a child who is not maintaining their oral hygiene routine.
Stainless steel metal crowns are commonly used as temporary covers for teeth while a more permanent version is made from another material; metal crowns are also usually used for children’s teeth because they will inevitably be a temporary solution when the child’s baby tooth falls out, so does the crown. While not being the most appealing option in terms of appearance, metal crowns last the longest and are highly resistant to the wear of chewing, biting and other typical actions. Other dental crown options are porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-resin, all-ceramic or all-porcelain, which while not as durable as metal dental crowns, have more flexibility in terms of matching their appearance with existing teeth.
How cosmetic dentistry is improving oral health
Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental crowns improve the health of teeth by strengthening the tooth itself but also safeguarding the wider oral health condition of the whole mouth. This is because the placement of a dental crown helps to maintain the shape of a person’s face, preventing the cheeks from sinking in through the spaces of missing teeth. Missing teeth can also cause other teeth to drift around the mouth, so it is vital that procedures such as dental crowns are used to shore up gaps.
Missing teeth can also cause problems with speaking and chewing food. This is because untreated gaps in teeth can cause the bite pattern to become misaligned this is where upper and lower teeth no longer come together properly when the mouth is closed. The implications of this aregreat pain in the jaw and other teeth becoming similarly crooked and damaged. In extreme circumstances, untreated oral health problems can lead to more severe health conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Innovations in dental crown procedures
With many people still afraid of visiting the dentist and further deterred by the costs involved in paying for dental crown procedures it will be welcome news to many that innovations in cosmetic dentistry could make many of the treatments less painful and much shorter. This includes the use of 3D imaging and computer guided surgery to ensure all cosmetic dentistry procedures reach an even higher level of accuracy ensuring less bone loss and using sophisticated ways of helping oral surgeons avoid injuring any nerves.
An even more exciting development is the work of a team of Columbia University researchers to regrow missing teeth through the use of stem cells. The new tooth would regrow in the empty socket and be capable of merging with surrounding gum tissue. While this is yet to be tested in humans, it would certainly be a complete game-changer in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry like this Cosmetic dentist in Hampton remains as fundamental in people’s lives as cosmetic treatment for faces and bodies, and undoubtedly plays a major role in boosting self-esteem and confidence. Aside from the aesthetic benefits of dental crown procedures, there are also substantial advantages for oral health and they can make the difference between decay spreading or being contained.
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