~What You Should Know to Avoid Regrets~

“I want my front teeth to look beautiful,” “I want to feel confident about my smile.”

Many people consider cosmetic treatments driven by such desires. However, there are actual cases where patients choose treatments too hastily and later regret it, thinking, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Today, using examples of such regrets, I’ll explain the difference between cosmetic dentistry and aesthetic dentistry.

Common Regrets

1. Too Much Healthy Tooth Structure Was Removed: A case where a dentist explained, “It will look beautiful right away,” and removed a large amount of healthy tooth structure to place a thick ceramic crown. While the appearance improved quickly, the tooth may become brittle years later, leading to cracking and eventual extraction.
2. Having the nerve removed: Cases where the nerve was removed after being told, “Removing the nerve is faster and will look better.” While there may be no immediate issues, teeth without nerves lose moisture and become brittle, leading to root fractures (teeth breaking from the root) in the future. Once fractured, the tooth cannot be saved, leaving extraction as the only option.
3. Prioritizing short-term improvements: Cases where, like celebrities, people think “I can get instantly white, perfectly straight teeth” and forcefully extract teeth or apply unnatural crowns. While it may look good in photos, it sacrifices bite function and gum health, often resulting in short-lived outcomes.

Why does this regret occur?

The main reason lies in the difference between the concepts of “cosmetic dentistry” and “aesthetic dentistry.”

• Cosmetic Dentistry: Prioritizes dramatic visual changes → May sacrifice teeth or nerves
• Aesthetic Dentistry: Pursues natural beauty based on health → Takes time and effort but lasts longer

In other words, the difference in treatment philosophy directly determines future outcomes.

Key Points to Avoid Regret

I always emphasize these three points to my patients:

• Minimize tooth removal: The less tooth structure removed, the stronger the tooth remains, leading to long-term stability.
• Protect the enamel The key to bonding lies in the “enamel.” Preserving this layer and integrating it with the ceramic creates a prosthesis that is less prone to detachment and fracture.
• Don’t skimp on time and effort Rather than rushing to finish in a short, intensive period, proceeding step-by-step through diagnosis, design, and simulation ultimately leads to the goal of “healthy and beautiful” results.

What I Value in My Practice

I always use a microscope during aesthetic treatments.

This allows me to precisely remove extremely thin layers (0.5–0.7mm) while preserving enamel and shaping the tooth. Though difficult with the naked eye, working under magnification enables me to achieve maximum results with minimal sacrifice.

Admittedly, treatment time increases by 2–3 times. However, I believe the value lies in creating beauty while protecting the tooth.

Summary

When you think, “I want my front teeth to look beautiful,” it’s easy to opt for immediate grinding and capping. However, that choice can lead to significant regret years later.

Cosmetic dentistry aims for “beauty without sacrificing health.”

• Minimize tooth removal
• Preserve the nerve
• Proceed carefully and meticulously

By keeping these three points in mind, you can maintain a beautiful smile you won’t regret for years to come.

When considering cosmetic treatment in the future, please be aware of this difference.