Perfect Smiles | Career | wavemag.com.np

When you think of dentistry, you might think the job is all about scraping off years of plaque or drilling in eroded teeth, but as of late, the scope of dentistry is taking on a whole new look – literally. Cosmetic dentistry is altering ones' teeth and smile in order to achieve a more desirable aesthetic look while still maintaining health and functionality. Cosmetic dentistry is a fairly new concept in Nepal and many people still think the term exclusively applies to dentistry reserved to help the rich and famous bleach their teeth right into so-called perfection, yet the field entails so much more. In his new book, A Clinical Guide to Direct Cosmetic Restorations, Dr. Sushil Koirala, explains that cosmetic dentistry, also known as aesthetic dentistry, is "a form of art which requires vision to express possibilities and skill to meet the demands of a patient." WAVE talks to renowned cosmetic dentists, Dr. Sushil Koirala and Dr. Binod Acharya.

It's an Art… and a Science.
How do you know if cosmetic dentistry may be the job for you? Why choose to pursue the stream over regular medicine? They are both science, right?

Right, but not entirely. While studying dentistry does require a lot of courses in science, the day to day reality is that being a cosmetic dentist uses a lot of the same skill sets and passions as any fine artist. So if you are into studying science and creating great art, then you might want to seriously consider cosmetic dentistry. "To some degree, all dentists are cosmetic dentists," Dr. Binod Acharya states, "but if a student loves both science and art, then further self-study in practices of cosmetic dentistry is the perfect option."

First, a student should study a science-related subject in +2. After its completion, a student will continue on to get a B.D.S. degree. Scattered everywhere from Dharan to Kathmandu, there are five different colleges within Nepal where students can study for B.D.S. yet many students still prefer to go to any of our neighboring countries like Bangladesh or India. After completing B.D.S. you must pass national exams to practice dentistry within Nepal, but once you receive passing results, you can directly start working as a dentist.

As of now, there is no exact course in cosmetic dentistry, but M.D.S. programs, fellowships abroad and self-study are all means by which a student can learn more about the practices of making great teeth. One thing a dentist with a passion for the cosmetic side of his/her work must remember, is that it is an ongoing learning process. The Nepalese Academy of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry offers continued education seminars, meetings, and information to help members strive ahead in the latest methods and research.

What it Takes to Be Great
The state of one's teeth alignment, coloring, and spacing all have a major impact on a person's overall appearance and ultimately their own personal happiness and psychological state. Cosmetic dentistry is about fixing the aesthetics of a patient's teeth by taking into consideration his/her psychology, health, functionality and aesthetics respectively. A cosmetic dentist has to simultaneously play the role of psychologist, medical agent and artist.

When it comes to defining what it is aesthetically pleasing, it is crucial that a cosmetic dentist remembers that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Rather than inflicting one's own definition of beauty on the patient, the dentist must listen and understand the personal and cultural desires of the individual undergoing the dental work. Dr. Koirala specialises in applying vedic definitions of aesthetics to our predominantly Hindu culture. He strives to preserve the definition of beauty set forth in tradition rather than just following the status quo of a broad, one-size-fits-all plan determined by Hollywood.

And when it comes to teeth whitening, Dr. Koirala isn't as strong of an advocate as one might think."So many people come in here and all they say is, I want white teeth! They don't realise that while yes, some people may need to whiten their teeth, more often than not the colouring of their teeth is a perfect balance designed by nature," Koirala states, "the eyes, teeth and skin tone should be in harmony. If the teeth are overly white, it will look awkward and unnatural."

The Industry's Future and Yours
Within Nepal, the demand for cosmetic surgery has just begun."The scope is widening everyday, with more people gaining interest in making their smiles more aesthetically pleasing," says Dr. Acharya.

What about with the current state of the global economic crisis? Dr. Koirala smiles, "We'll have to see won't we? But people will always make looking good a priority and the more we develop the industry within Nepal, the more cosmetic dentistry tourism will gain popularity. We can offer the same services with the same quality at less than half the price of western countries. Soon, more people will be coming to Nepal to go trekking and fix their teeth."

Regardless of the state of the world economy, the fact still remains that Nepal currently has a mere 600 dentists, but to appropriately meet the needs of the population, the country needs 3,000.

What if working within Nepal isn't in your future plans? Typically, students in the United States first study 4 years of a science-based bachelor's degree and then continue on to 4 years of dental college. If you complete B.D.S. in South Asia, you will take an exam to allow you to skip ahead to the third year of American dental college. After you receive your D.D.S., then it may be possible for you to work within the States.

Whether you plan to stay in Nepal or you hope to live abroad, your future and the smile of the many patients ahead seems big and bright.