Nearly 30 percent of all orthodontic and cosmetic dental patients in the United States are adults. New correctional dental technology has allowed for adults to revitalize their smiles with cosmetic procedures such as all on four dental implants, braces, teeth whitening treatments and a long list of other procedures. Statistics from the October Journal of Clinical Orthodontics show that the average cost for a set of braces is around $4,800 with adults in the United States, with nearly 30% of all orthodontic patients in the U.S. being adults.

While orthodontic procedures such as braces continue to be a popular method for straightening teeth, replacing missing teeth with all on four dental implants is also a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. Dental implants can help to replace missing teeth for patients of all age. Most patients experience tooth loss from old age, but for tooth loss is younger patients, under the age of 35, missing teeth are typically caused by athletic trauma, fights or accidents, making dental implant procedures a practical and reliable procedure. A dental implant procedures work by placing an artificial root into the bone socket of the missing tooth. Over the next six to 12 weeks, the jawbone heals, growing around the artificial root and anchoring it securely in the jaw. Finally, a fake tooth, typically made of porcelain is placed into the artificial root, allowing the patient to show off a smile that most would never be able to tell was ever missing teeth in the first place.

Dental implant prices have been able to decrease over the years through the advancement of dental care technology, making the solution affordable for most, and typically can be covered by most dental insurance policies. While some patients suffer from Odontophobia – a a classified phobia of the dentist by Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) – many cosmetic dental practices feature solutions to cope with the fear. Most of these procedures can be done with the assistance of anesthesia, putting the patient calmly to sleep during the procedure, only to wake up with minimal pain and a brand new smile to show off. More like this.