The cosmetic dental procedures patients want most right now

A recent report on trending cosmetic dental procedures found that dental botulinum toxin is one of the most requested treatments right now. A new study by Zental Dental, a UK-based dental practice, reveals which smile fixes patients are asking for most often these days.

The research examined dental market data and search trends across cosmetic treatments to find which smile fixes patients want most. The report looked at how much each procedure costs, how many people get the work done annually, and how long the results hold up. Each treatment was also evaluated based on clinical success rates and patient satisfaction scores from dental industry studies. Search trends served as the main ranking factor, as changes in search interest show which procedures people are actively looking into before booking appointments.

'Dental Botox'

'Dental Botox' (botulinum toxin) is the breakout cosmetic trend with 2.9 million monthly searches. American dentists now perform over one million botulinum toxin procedures annually for orofacial applications, with gummy smile correction being one of the main uses. The treatment uses just 4 to 15 units of toxin injected into the upper lip area. The changes appear within days but only last three to six months, so patients need repeat injections to maintain the look. The complication rate stays below 3 per cent, and most people are satisfied with the results.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners come second, with searches up 180% as people ditch metal braces for invisible trays. By now, over 18 million people across the world have used Invisalign or similar systems to fix crooked teeth. Full treatment costs about the same as one dental implant, but covering the entire mouth. The plastic trays work for 80% to 90% of people, and 96% of patients say they're happy with the results. Treatment takes anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on how much correction you need, with dentist visits every four to eight weeks to check progress.

Dental implants

Dental implants are another popular cosmetic dental treatment. Patients search for this procedure 3.4 million times monthly, more than any other smile fix. The treatment involves surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone to replace missing teeth, and while it costs between $3,000 and $6,000 per tooth, implants can last 25 years or longer. That longevity explains why people choose them despite the price. The clinical data backs this up, too, with success rates between 95% and 98%, even a decade after placement.

Teeth whitening (professional in-office)

Professional teeth whitening comes fourth, drawing 3.2 million patients each month. The treatment costs anywhere from $300 to $1,000 for standard whitening, while laser procedures can go as high as $1,500. Unlike implants that require multiple visits over months, whitening takes just one 60-to-90-minute session in the dentist's chair. Results stick around for 6 months to 3 years, depending on diet and habits, with professional treatments showing a 90% success rate.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers round out the top five, seeing a 50% increase in search interest. The global market for veneers reached $6.7 billion recently and is expected to go up to $11.45 billion by 2030. Dentists perform roughly 8 million veneer procedures each year, including about 600K in the US alone. Tooth costs vary, but the shells last 10 to 20 years when cared for properly. Clinical studies show 96% remain functional at the 5-year mark, and over 90% still work after a decade. 

Mr Ihsaan Al-Hadad, Co-Founder and Clinical Director at Zental, commented on the study: 

"The biggest change in cosmetic dentistry is how quickly people can see results. Teeth whitening used to take weeks with at-home trays. Now you walk in for an hour and walk out with a noticeably whiter smile. Same with botulinum toxin for gummy smiles: people used to think they needed gum surgery, which meant recovery time and real pain. A few injections solve it in one short appointment now. With these timelines, more people are willing to do these procedures."