As a mini-industry in itself, cosmetic dentistry in the UK has grown to become something of a shining example in the world of cosmetic dental surgery. It has done so despite the popularity of dental and medical tourism, which has benefited in the main through advertising cut-price rates in procedures as part of a holiday package. For dentists in the UK, educating the public of the risks involved, though allowing them the freedom to choose for themselves, has become an important part of their dental care.

The array of options being offered by foreign dental clinics is quite wide, with cosmetic dental veneers amongst some of the most popular options available. This is because of the relatively short time it takes to have the procedure done, as well as its status as a low-risk dental procedure. Another common procedure to have done is cosmetic dental implants, which takes a significantly longer period of time and carries with it greater surgical risks.

Medical tourism has a wide scope, with dental tourism a significant section within the area, attracting thousands of people away from their home countries to avail of procedures abroad that are reported to cost a fraction of the price. It is the price tag that wins attention, with the issues of quality aftercare and legal recourse rarely playing a part in the final decision. This can prove to be a major problem should things go wrong.

The fact that individual countries have differing levels of excellence in dentistry, and medical disciplines in general, means that the value of service received in Eastern Europe, for example, will not necessarily reach the levels that are insisted upon in the UK. Once a patient has left the country where the procedure took place without complaint, taking legal action, should there be consequential problems, becomes something of an epic battle that could actually end up costing a small fortune. And that is the risk that is taken.

Implants in any surgical field carry with them certain risks, and dental implants are no different. The procedure itself can take several months, with the surgery commonly divided into two stages. However, in certain emergency circumstances the procedure can take place in one day. While the whole surgical process is a detailed matter, it can be briefly described as involving Titanium implants being screwed into the jaw bone to replace the root of a natural tooth, followed by the insertion of crowns or bridges or, if necessary, the replacement of dentures that the implant is being used to support.

The gap between implanting the Titanium screws and attaching the crown or bridge is between 4 and 6 months. This time period is important as the healing period must be completed fully before the procedure can continue. Invariably, this involves the bone reforming around the implant to secure it more fully. For an implant to be effective, it should feel and function just as reliably as a real tooth, which of course is the point of having the surgery done in any case.

Veneers have been a popular cosmetic option since the 1980s, but the procedure has developed considerably since then. The old technique of painstakingly preparing tooth surfaces before applying a thin layer of porcelain has since been replaced with technologically advanced adhesive material that no longer requires the surface to be prepared before the porcelain veneers are attached.

The procedure itself can take a short period of time, but the resulting effect can last as long as 30 years. The range of reasons for having cosmetic dental veneers applied is varied, from enamel discolouration caused by years of smoking, drinking coffee and other common lifestyle practices, covering narrow teeth or dealing with teeth that are mal positioned to a small degree.

However, public awareness over the true risks in dental and medical tourism has increased. With the cost of procedures available in the UK at competitive rates, many people are opting to stay at home and benefit from the security that comes with full, quality aftercare and responsible advice from dentists with fully accredited qualifications. What is essential is the knowledge that all dental procedures, not just cosmetic dental implants and veneers, require expertise from only fully qualified and experienced dentist, as well as attentive aftercare.

The highest levels in qualifications, as set out by the General Dental Council (GDC) in the UK, as well as the maintenance of the highest standards in professional practice, are corner stones of UK dentistry. This is why cosmetic dentistry uk is a leading brand in the dental industry.