Smile enhancement is wildly popular in the US – to the extent that many general dentists have become "cosmetic dentists" and realigned their practice marketing strategy to heavily promote smile makeovers. And for good reason; beautification is a money maker! Extreme Makeover, the ABC reality show, let the public know that a gorgeous smile was well within reach through procedures such as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. Viewers flocked to their dentists. But is cosmetic dentistry a fad? Do whiter teeth really make a person more attractive? The obvious answer is, "Of course, Bumblehead!" But the real answer is, "Not necessarily," according to a study in the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry.
The July/August report cites a study in which participants reviewed headshots and noted which models were most attractive and why. The report states, "Whitened teeth were mentioned more often in a positive way but did not improve participants’ assessment of attractiveness." This may not be the case in the US market. After all, the article is in an international publication.
Teeth whitening has been around since the 18th century (http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-history-of-teeth-whitening.html), but this big boom in smile aesthetics may be a passing fad. If you’re considering an investment in expensive in-office teeth bleaching equipment, you may want to review the entire report: http://www.quintpub.com/journals/prd/abstract.php?iss2_id=241&article_id=2882&article=6&title=Beauty . (A paid subscription is required for the full article, or it can be purchased for $25).