A Hollywood smile is a dental makeover that will transform your smile into one that's fit for the big screen. Advancements in dental technology mean that the Hollywood look is no longer exclusive to celebrities. Depending on the treatment you need, you could get one too!
In this article, we'll talk about the different cosmetic dentistry and functional treatments that can be part of a Hollywood smile—as well as what it costs—so you can decide if this is right for you.
In This Article
What is a Hollywood smile?
A Hollywood smile is a general term used to refer to an ideal smile and the treatment used to achieve it. This may mean perfectly white teeth, shapely teeth, and teeth that are properly aligned. As part of your Hollywood smile treatment, you might get a smile design that can involve veneers, crowns, braces, implants, teeth whitening, and even lip lifts.
How to get a Hollywood smile
You'll first need to find a dentist or clinic that specializes in smile designs or smile makeovers. Before you begin treatment, you'll have a consultation with your dentist who will conduct a full examination of your mouth and teeth and recommend different types of treatment based on your aesthetic needs. There may be some overlap between oral health and oral cosmetics (for example, with orthodontic treatment), which will not just make teeth look better, but also align them into the proper position.
We'll take a look at the various types of dental treatments that could be part of your Hollywood smile dental makeover, and in the video below you can see one patient getting her Hollywood smile that involves porcelain veneers.
Orthodontic treatment
Sometimes veneers (which we'll talk more about later) are enough to make teeth seem like they are properly aligned. However, in more extreme cases, teeth may be too crooked to fix with just veneers, which may mean that your Hollywood smile treatment may have to begin with orthodontic treatment.
In this case, your dentist will work with an orthodontist to straighten your teeth to achieve optimal aesthetics. Even if your teeth aren't severely crooked, a combination of orthodontic and aesthetic treatment creates better results than exclusively aesthetic treatments, as shown in this study.
Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment as part of your Hollywood smile if you have:
- An asymmetrical midline (how the top and bottom arches of teeth line up)
- Uneven gum lines
- Crowding or misaligned teeth
If you don't like the idea of braces, remember that orthodontic treatment doesn't necessarily mean having metal brackets fixed to your teeth. Clear aligners and invisible braces have made it possible to fix teeth discreetly, conveniently, and often for a much lower price. You can learn all about clear aligners in our article here.
Teeth cleaning and polishing
Teeth cleaning is one of the basic elements of a smile makeover. Scaling is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth, especially along the gum line. This will help gums be healthier, which is also an important part of an aesthetic smile. Gums should be pale pink and free of inflammation.
A proper tooth cleaning is a good start, but you'll need to keep up your oral hygiene to ensure your perfect Hollywood smile and your oral health lasts.
Teeth whitening
The first thing most of us think of when we imagine a perfect smile is bright Hollywood-white teeth. There are two main options when it comes to getting Hollywood smile teeth whitening.
In-office bleaching
In-office bleaching is typically the most efficient way to whiten your teeth, although it is also the most expensive whitening option. Your dentist will cover your gums and soft tissue for protection and isolate your teeth for whitening, which is done with high concentration bleaching chemicals. Bleaching chemicals in such high concentrations can only be administered by a professional because these chemicals could cause serious damage to your soft tissue and enamel if applied incorrectly.
At-home bleaching
At-home bleaching kits have a lower concentration of bleach, so they take a bit longer but are also usually more affordable. If your dentist gives you an at-home bleaching kit, they will first take an impression of your teeth to make custom-fitted trays. At home, you will fill these trays with your prescribed bleaching solution.
However, you don't even have to visit the dentist for some whitening treatments. You can purchase whitening kits online and in stores. We recommend Snow teeth whitening as one that gives great results.
You can also use at-home treatments to maintain the whiteness of your smile after you undergo in-office treatment.
Dental restorations
Restorative dentistry is used to fix teeth that have been cracked or chipped, or are missing altogether. Restoration may involve veneers or crowns to hide any imperfections. If you are missing teeth or need teeth replaced, restoration may also include implants, dentures, or bridges.
Teeth replacement
Getting Hollywood smiles dental work may require tooth replacement, especially if the patient has missing teeth in a prominent spot. There are a number of ways to replace missing teeth, but two of the most popular options for a smile makeover are:
- Dental implants – This is the best option not only aesthetically, but also functionally because a titanium screw replaces the actual root of the missing tooth. This helps combat bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing. It also makes the replacement tooth stronger and longer lasting.
- Dental bridge – A dental bridge can be bonded to adjacent teeth, but it can also be supported by dental implants. Getting two implants and a three-tooth bridge is a more affordable way to replace three teeth as opposed to getting three separate dental implants.
Veneers
To improve the shape and color of teeth and hide any cracks or chips, Hollywood smile veneers are a common solution. Dental veneers tend to be used more often for cosmetic purposes, but there is plenty of overlap with restorative dentistry as well. A dental veneer is a thin porcelain or composite shell that is bonded to the surface of a tooth. The downside of veneers is that they will eventually need to be replaced, and most types require some of the healthy natural tooth enamel to be removed.
Lumineers are a type of veneer that doesn't require any of your healthy tooth enamel to be removed because the porcelain shell is extra slim. These can also give teeth a more natural appearance because they are more translucent than normal veneers while still adding a whitening touch.
Your dentist will be able to recommend the correct treatment for you during a consultation. Veneers tend to be used for the following conditions:
- Mild tooth discoloration and staining
- Small gaps between teeth
- Small tooth chips
- Mild misalignment
For more severe conditions, your dentist may recommend more restorative measures, such as if you have:
- Significantly diminished tooth structure
- Large gaps between teeth
- Poor oral health
Dr. Eyad Tariq
Crowns
Crowns can be used to restore badly damaged teeth that don't require extraction. They are essentially caps placed on top of teeth that need to be restored. They are also the visual parts of implants and bridges, as they serve to look like natural teeth.
Restorations summary
Have a look at the table below for a summary of the different types of dental restorations that you may get during a Hollywood teeth makeover:
Pros | Cons | Natural appearance? | |
Dental implants | Act and look like natural teeth | Expensive and invasive | Yes |
Veneers | Whiten and shape teeth | Requre the removal of healthy enamel; may look artificial | Sometimes |
Lumineers | Whiten and shape teeth; don't require the removal of healthy enamel; reversible procedure | Don't hide damaged teeth as well; don't last as long as normal veneers | Yes |
Crowns | Restore teeth | May not look natural | Sometimes |
How much does a Hollywood smile cost in the US?
The cost of your Hollywood smile is impossible to determine without meeting with your dentist to plan and discuss. Costs vary depending on the treatment, materials, and the patient. You can have a look at the table below for an estimate of treatment costs to get an idea. As you can see though, your Hollywood smile price could be anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands.
Treatment | Cost |
Dental implants | $1,000-$6,000 (per tooth) |
Crowns | $500–$2,000 (per tooth) |
Veneers | $925–$2,500 (per tooth) |
Bridges | $500–$2,300 (non-implant) |
Teeth whitening | $650–$1,000 |
Caring for your new smile
Once your smile is made over, it's important to take good care of it. Otherwise, you'll just have to repeat the entire process again, especially when it comes to keeping it white. Make sure to practice good oral hygiene habits including:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily
- Flossing in between teeth daily
- Using an anti-bacterial mouthwash
- Eating a balanced diet (Mouth health and general health are all tied together!)
- Visit your dentist every 6 months, or follow the dentist's recommendations
Conclusion
The bottom line is that if you want whiter, more uniform teeth—a Hollywood smile—you can. Depending on the current condition of your teeth, you should be prepared to undergo various treatments and potentially pay quite a bit, although there are things you can do to help finance your dental work, like payment plans and discount plans.
Additionally, some treatments are more expensive than others, so you can consult with your dentist to choose more budget-friendly options where possible, like composite veneers vs. porcelain veneers.
Whether or not you choose to get a Hollywood teeth makeover, you should always remember that it's much more important to have a healthy smile, free of decay, infections, gum disease, and severe misalignment, than one that's perfectly white and symmetrical.
FAQs
Is a Hollywood smile permanent?
Some treatments that are part of Hollywood smiles could potentially last a lifetime with proper care. However, it's more likely than not that veneers will need to be replaced at some point. And if you get a whitening treatment, you'll need to continue with at least at-home treatments to keep your teeth white.
What is the difference between veneers and a Hollywood smile?
Veneers are a dental treatment consisting of thin porcelain or composite shells that are attached to the fronts of your teeth to make them appear whiter, more uniform, and symmetrical. A Hollywood smile is an entire smile makeover that may include veneers.
Is a Hollywood smile painful?
Your Hollywood smile treatment may include invasive procedures like dental implants. Recovering from surgery can be somewhat painful, but your dentist will give you painkillers to relieve the worst of it. And during surgery, you'll be given an anesthetic so you won't experience any discomfort during the actual procedure. Teeth whitening treatments can also cause sensitivity, which may be painful for some.
Researchgate.net: Orthodontic Considerations Prior to Ceramic Veneers Placement: An Updated Review. Consulted 7th December 2020.