Evolution of aesthetic dentistry

2019 marks the Centennial of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR). Over the last century the JDR has been dedicated to the dissemination of new knowledge and information on all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral cavity and associated structures in health and disease. To celebrate, the JDR is featuring a yearlong, commemorative article and podcast series that highlights topics that have transformed dental, oral and craniofacial research over the past 100 years.

One of the main goals of dental treatment is to mimic teeth and design smiles in the most natural and esthetic manner, based on the individual and specific needs of the patient. The JDR Centennial article "Evolution of Esthetic Dentistry," by Markus B. Blatz, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, Gerald Chiche, Augusta University Dental College of Georgia, USA, Oded Bahat, Beverly Hills, California, USA, Richard Roblee, Roblee Orthodontics, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, Christian Coachman, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA and Harald Heymann, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, provides a historical review of the evolution of esthetic dentistry over the past 100 years and highlights advances in the development of dental research and clinical interventions that have contributed to the science and art of esthetic dentistry.

"There is strong scientific evidence that the appearance of a person's face and teeth has a profound impact on the perception and judgment by others," said Blatz. "The options to reach the goal of mimicking the most natural esthetics have significantly improved over the last decade. In the future, artificial intelligence and machine learning will likely lead to automation of esthetic evaluation, smile design and treatment planning processes."

"Among the most noteworthy advancements in esthetic dentistry over the past decade are the establishment of universal esthetic rules and guidelines, the development of tooth whitening and advanced restorative and prosthetic materials, progress in orthodontics and periodontal and oral and maxillofacial surgery," said Chiche. "And most recently, the implementation of digital technologies in the 3-D planning and realization of truly natural and individual smiles."