The Price of a Smile
Does one partake or abstain from achieving a perfect smile?
By: Anthony Vystoropski
38% of Americans would rule out a second date with someone with misaligned teeth. In 2015, cosmetic dentistry represented the largest nonsurgical beauty industry after makeup. Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile, which has become even more prevalent today. Our culture is quick to adapt the next beauty trend that will help you stand out, or, on the other hand, fit in with a perfect smile.
The cosmetic dentistry market was valued at 23 billion USD in 2018. It is projected to reach 43 billion USD by 2026, almost a 50% increase within eight years. So why is the market growing so quickly? This industry is booming due to rising disposable incomes within the middle-class population and growing consumer knowledge about cosmetic dentistry, which focuses on the refinement of dental aesthetics in terms of shade, location, form, size, arrangement, and overall appearance. One benefit to such treatment is the patient's self-esteem. People with misaligned teeth or a hang-tooth may often cover their mouths due to these perceived flaws. They may try to hide their imperfections because society pushes such a perfect version of a smile. If they choose to go through procedures such as braces, Invisalign, or tooth removal/implants, they may gain a sense of security or self-confidence. They may feel that they can laugh without trying to hide their imperfections, helping them to live their lives to the fullest.
The notion of a perfect smile likely stems from Hollywood. Most, if not all, actors have partaken in cosmetic dentistry. Just think about how many actors are missing teeth or have gaps in their smile. By creating the ideal smile, Hollywood is setting a standard that is hard to obtain for everyday people: more and more parents are fixing their children’s dental problems because there is such strong pressure to have a perfect smile. Moreover, in a study done by the University of Missouri Kansas City, researchers discovered that smiling makes you look thinner and younger. In addition, Mayo Clinic has found that positive thoughts and laughter help your brain fight off illnesses and disease, boosting your immune system and lowering blood pressure. This research indicates that having a better smile will get you further in life and increase the likelihood of better impressions.
Braces or Invisalign are often involved in achieving the perfect smile. Tooth removal/implant may also be involved. The average cost for braces is often $5,000-6,000 but can be $3,000-10,000. The average cost for a single tooth implant is between $1,500-6,000, while multiple tooth implants can cost more than $50,000 depending on the patient, the dentist performing the procedure, and the geographical region.
Dentists’ offices have effective marketing tactics that make you realize the societal importance of a perfect smile. One example shows a man with a missing tooth and his family. It is the first thing that you notice about him. The advertisement says, “Why is dentistry important? Because even though he’s missing an eyebrow, the first thing you notice is his smile!” And because having perfect white teeth is thought to be so important, dentists often ask if you drink black coffee or wine, which stain the teeth. This makes people think about whitening their teeth because they do not want to be known as someone who has yellow teeth. This constant pressure is the price of a smile. It has become so accepted in our culture that there is no way around it unless you choose not to fix your smile.Where does this leave us? Well, it depends on one’s views and abilities. There are studies that show that a better or more perfect smile gets you further in life, but to achieve that, you may have to pay a small fortune, depending on your mouth. But at the same time, it may provide you with a sense of security or confidence, if society has determined that your smile is lacking. Now you know what the price of a smile might be, but the possibilities and variations do not end here.