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Is the Hollywood Smile overrated?

Is the Hollywood Smile overrated?

 Most individuals aspire to have the ideal Hollywood smile, but did you know that having a set of pearly-white, gorgeous teeth is actually not that difficult to achieve?

Our daily lives are impacted by various factors, including how we smile and how it seems. It is the first thing that people notice when they meet one another. And in some ways, it is the one feature that has the most influence on first impressions. It is not unexpected that procedures like the Hollywood Smile are gaining popularity. For many years, celebrities have employed this cosmetic dentistry procedure to improve the beauty of their smiles. Since the process became widespread, it has been clear that having the perfect smile is essential to a successful profession.

Hollywood Smile: What is it?

A dental procedure called a "Hollywood smile" involves treating various issues that prevent you from smiling aesthetically. Common problems include misalignment, decays, chipping, discolouration, gaps, etc. When necessary, they frequently combine dental veneers with other treatments to resolve the concerns. In most circumstances, a group of dental specialists will discuss it with you before, during, and after the process rather than simply one dentist offering you this treatment directly.

 

When is the Hollywood smile technique applied?

The Hollywood smile and these porcelain veneers are typically used for cosmetic reasons. Still, they can also be used to cure certain dental issues because the porcelain veneers used to create the "Hollywood smile" are strong, long-lasting, and stain-resistant. They can be utilized in the following situations:

·       Correction of permanent tooth discoloration caused by enamel flaws that are not resolved by whitening techniques.

·       Restoring teeth that are damaged or worn.

·       Correcting teeth that are out of alignment, have deviations, are not equal in size and length, or have an unnatural shape compared to the other teeth.

·       Closing up the spaces between teeth.

·       Teeth with extensive aesthetic fillings that have lost their colour and become discoloured compared to the adjacent teeth.

·       Broken teeth.

Who would make a good Hollywood Smile candidate?

·       Missing teeth discoloration

·       Possess crooked or malformed teeth

·       Above the age of 18

·       Do not have any current infections

·       Sufficient bone density (for implant)

·       Adequate tooth enamel

·       Have fractured teeth 

·       Are prepared for a lifelong change

·       Aware of the procedure's benefits and drawbacks

How to achieve a Hollywood smile?

Whitening

One of the quickest and simplest ways to brighten a smile is by teeth whitening, the most popular dental procedure in the world. The molecules that cause discoloration are broken down by a concentrated chemical solution, typically a type of peroxide.

Food substances, including coffee, wine, soda, chocolate, and the regular wear and tear of eating, can cause extrinsic discoloration. While you can whiten your teeth using over-the-counter kits from the supermarket, professional kits yield superior results more quickly. With take-home and in-office whitening kits, you can get rid of stains more easily than before.

Dental bonding 

A common method for enhancing the appearance of a smile is bonding. Dental bonding is a convenient treatment option because it is typically finished in only one visit. It's an inexpensive technique to accomplish a variety of cosmetic objectives, including closing gaps in your smile, reshaping teeth, and repairing minor damage from a chip. Dental bonding is a common aesthetic technique due to its speed, low cost, and minimal discomfort.

Porcelain veneers

Even though porcelain cosmetic surgery may be the most attractive and durable option available. Veneers can effectively give you a new set of teeth by hiding several dental issues, including gaps, twisted or crowded teeth, discoloured teeth, broken teeth, and many more.

Veneers are a thin ceramic shell that is attached to your natural teeth. Due to their extreme thinness, they blend seamlessly into the grin and do not add any unnecessary bulk. Porcelain veneers that look natural can conceal stains that whitening typically cannot remove. And the effects may persist for decades. According to surveys, roughly 95% of veneers are still in place after ten years, and 83% are still there after twenty.

Invisalign braces

Healthy teeth and gums, as well as an efficient bite, chew, and speech, are all benefits of having straight teeth. Teeth and jaws that are properly positioned may shield against physical health issues. Better-functioning teeth typically appear better, and having a beautiful smile is a welcome "side benefit" of orthodontic treatment. Plaque, a sticky, white film made of bacteria, food particles, and saliva, is less likely to accumulate on straight teeth.

Implants

If missing teeth cause your inability to smile like a Hollywood star, you may require more sophisticated treatments. One of the most aesthetically pleasing and functional ways to restore missing teeth is with dental implants. After the surgery, you may have teeth that are stronger and more attractive. 

Crowns and bridges 

Covering a tooth with a cap allows crowns to repair it. You can avoid having your teeth pulled as a result. On the other hand, clinics frequently use the dental bridge procedure. A dental bridge is an efficient approach to close a space between two healthy teeth, say, a space of one to two teeth. It is a useful and efficient method, particularly if you want high-quality goods and receives proper service.

Hollywood's Smile: The Downside

After undergoing the treatment, you can expect a lot of good things to happen. But this approach also has some disadvantages. It is preferable to be aware of these negative aspects so that you are fully informed before entering a situation. Complications are quite uncommon. However, some issues could arise if the dentist is not sufficiently qualified. Let's look at these cons in more detail:

·       Since this procedure alters your smile, it can become rather expensive. Usually, the treatment strategy can be altered. However, if treatment involves veneers, crowns, or implants, be prepared for a slightly higher price.

·       Your gorgeous smile is the main goal of the procedure. So, it's normal procedure to prepare the teeth before treatment. The dentist carefully moulds your teeth to suit any veneers, implants, or crowns that may be required during treatment. Your teeth's natural structure is altered, therefore, once it is done, you cannot restore it to its previous state. A dentist's knowledge in this area is essential since if this procedure is performed incorrectly, various difficulties may result.

·       There is a loss of enamel intended to safeguard your teeth due to the tooth preparation done before treatment. Less protection and fight against dangerous toxins and microorganisms result from enamel loss. There is a greater likelihood of bacteria build-up if the dentist removes a lot of enamel. Long-term wear on the teeth could result from this. For this reason, the tooth pre-treatment phase is essential. An experienced dentist can only understand the complexity of the technique. 

Limitations of the Hollywood Smile technique

We must emphasise that maintaining the functionality of the teeth and jaw comes first, followed by delivering aesthetic pleasure for any complete prosthetic reconstruction, such as the Hollywood Smile. To make any prosthetic work durable, to be able to guarantee it and provide guarantees, we must cover the teeth in both jaws and on both sides, at least up to the first molars. 

Sometimes patients who are missing their rear teeth wish to just replace their front teeth, but this is very difficult to accomplish and is only possible with many implants, most definitely not in place of crowns and veneers since front teeth need to be supported by back teeth. Additionally, it is fairly unusual for younger patients with outstanding teeth to want veneers or caps for all of their teeth for cosmetic purposes. There will still be some damage (abrasion) to the teeth even though veneers are less intrusive.

The misconception may occur when considering the possibility of combining veneers, crowns, or other types of Hollywood Smile on one jaw with teeth whitening on the other. You can make your teeth a little bit whiter than their natural colour by bleaching them, but you won't get the Hollywood Smile-level brightness. Additionally, the white appearance that has been achieved through whitening must be preserved, otherwise, the previous colour may reappear.

Hollywood Smile: Is it worth it?

The tremendous beauty that a Hollywood smile adds to the smiles of many individuals makes it worthwhile. However, the advantages of the Hollywood smile cannot be fully described by its attractiveness alone. With a better grin, you feel more confident and at ease, whether meeting new people, applying for jobs, or giving speeches in front of an audience. A Hollywood smile also indicates healthier gums and teeth. 

You can speak and eat more clearly. You can have teeth that are perfectly straight and white due to the Hollywood smile; gaps, discoloration, and cavities are no longer a concern. You are free to smile as much as you like. Additionally, oral health may shield you from many other more serious health issues like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Dr Amna Bilal

The author is a contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at amna0795@yahoo.com