Imitating film stars is no longer confined to clothes, mannerisms and make-up; it has extended further than that, reaching facial cosmetic procedures, body sculpting and, most recently, the radiant smile — the Hollywood smile.
But what does the Hollywood smile mean?
It is a procedure in which the size, colour, length and shape of the teeth are changed by placing a very thin layer of ceramic veneers on the tooth, in proportion with the jaw and with the mouth. The aim of the Hollywood smile is to beautify the shape of the teeth so that they become whiter, which in turn makes the face look brighter.
The role of the Hollywood smile is not limited to obtaining a brilliantly white smile only; it is a procedure aimed at achieving the best shape of smile, including correcting problems of crooked teeth and eliminating the gaps between them that may affect their aesthetic appearance.
But does the role of the Hollywood smile stop at cosmetic improvements only? Let us find the answer in the following section.
Is the Hollywood smile purely cosmetic, or does it have another, therapeutic dimension?
It is well known that the Hollywood smile is primarily used for a cosmetic purpose, but it can now also be used as a therapeutic procedure, as these ceramic veneers have acquired other uses in cases such as:
1. Cases of tooth discolouration and the presence of pigmented stains
2. Teeth filled with large fillings whose colour has changed compared with the colour of the other teeth.
3. Broken teeth
4. Differences in the size of the teeth, or in their length and size compared with the rest of the teeth in the jaw, such that the overall appearance of the teeth is unsatisfactory
5. The presence of gaps between the teeth.
So the Hollywood smile is a complete smile, in terms of both its functional aims and its purely cosmetic ones.
Obtaining a Hollywood smile requires three visits to a dentist specialising in cosmetic dentistry.
The first visit is for consultation, while the second and third are for preparation and fitting the veneers —
which may not be for all the teeth. In some cases the dentist fits those veneers only on the front teeth or on the teeth that have problems. Some practitioners carry out an initial assessment by photographing the teeth and jaw before the fitting procedure and photographing them afterwards, so as to be able to see the difference in what is known as the Hollywood smile before and after.
Steps to obtaining a Hollywood smile:
1. The first step is examining and checking the teeth so the dentist can confirm that the veneer layer suits the condition of the teeth; the dentist then explains and clarifies the steps of the fitting procedure and the results expected from it.
2. The second step, in which the dentist begins the practical stages by removing a layer of tooth enamel equal to the thickness of the veneers and not exceeding 0.5 millimetres, then makes a model of the veneers and sends it to the dental prosthetics laboratory to produce the veneers, along with the required shade. This process may take a maximum of two weeks.
3. The third step, during which the dentist cleans the teeth before trying in the veneers. After the try-in and confirming that they are suitable in colour and size, the dentist bonds these veneers with an adhesive material and then sets them with a special light beam. Matters do not end there: they require a further visit to the dentist after several weeks to confirm the soundness of the veneers and the health of the gums.
After completing the veneer fitting and obtaining the Hollywood smile, we reach the assessment stage, or the Hollywood smile before and after.
Before these ceramic veneers were fitted, the teeth tended toward yellowing because of drinking tea and coffee and smoking; afterwards the teeth acquire a bright white colour. And where there was a defect in the teeth, or a fracture, or gaps between them, after fitting the teeth become even and regular, which gives self-confidence and the desired aesthetic appearance.
Advice before obtaining a Hollywood smile
Cosmetic dentists advise anyone having a Hollywood smile done as follows:
1. You must keep to cleaning the teeth with a brush, dental floss and mouthwash.
2. Dentists advise against over-consuming foods and drinks that cause tooth staining, such as tea, coffee and smoking — and this despite the fact that these veneers are stain-resistant,
3. You must learn all the information relating to the Hollywood smile and discuss every detail with the dentist before taking the decision to have it fitted.
> Find out now about the price of the Hollywood smile in Egypt and book today
Are there cases for which the Hollywood smile is not suitable?
The Hollywood smile has become the dream of everyone who wants white teeth free of staining and defects, but it is not suitable for and does not suit everyone. It cannot be carried out on adolescents and children, since they are in a growth phase.
Likewise it cannot be carried out on those who have problems with tooth growth or who are undergoing any kind of orthodontic treatment, because fitting those veneers requires the teeth to be settled and stable.
The procedure also requires the dentition to be complete, with none of the teeth missing, and no existing prosthetics, widespread tooth decay or gum inflammation.
What do you know about the types of dental veneers?
Dental veneers are the most important part of the Hollywood smile procedure, and here we review their different types:
1. Lumineers: distinguished by their hardness despite being very thin — they are considered the thinnest of the veneers and are used on teeth whose colour we want to improve.
2. Veneers: considered the best known and most recent type of veneer currently, and also the most widespread, but fitting them requires shaving several millimetres off the teeth.
3. Porcelain: veneers made from ceramic, used in cases that favour a natural tooth appearance rather than brilliant white.
4. Zirconia: these are laser veneers, used in cases of severely damaged teeth.
5. Dental crowns: an older method of making a cover for the teeth, aimed at preserving them and protecting them from damage or fracture; recently, however, there has been considerable development in the quality of the material used in the tooth cover.
Cosmetic dentists always advise using the best types of dental veneer and not using cheap veneers, which are considered shorter-lived as well as prone to fracture, and which also do not give the teeth the desired appearance.
What comes after obtaining a Hollywood smile?
Obtaining a Hollywood smile is not the end of the road; rather, the matter requires great attention from the patient toward the smile they have obtained, so that its results last as long as possible.
To achieve this aim, the patient must adhere to the following advice:
• Attend to cleaning the teeth regularly, at least twice daily, using a brush and fluoride-rich toothpaste.
• The necessity of using floss to remove food debris lodged in the teeth, neglect of which may lead to tooth decay.
• Take care to consult the dentist immediately should any of the veneers bonded to the teeth come off, or should you feel abnormal pain in the teeth.
• Do not open packaged foods with your teeth; besides the fact that this affects the teeth and of course the veneers, it may also harm the gums.
The cost of the Hollywood smile
Several factors determine the price of the Hollywood smile in Egypt, including:
1. The condition of the teeth and mouth and whether the teeth need any treatments before the veneers are fitted, and the cost of those treatments
2. The type of veneers used, since veneer prices differ from one type to another
3. The number of teeth that will undergo the veneer fitting procedure, and whether veneers will be made for the front teeth only or for all the teeth
4. The competence and reputation of the dentist who will carry out the fitting procedure
5. The reputation of the clinic or medical centre in which the veneer fitting procedure will be carried out
Since the Hollywood smile procedure is a cosmetic procedure to give the face a beautiful smile and a better appearance, the dentist must be the best and the most experienced, must have performed this procedure many times, and must have examples and before-and-after Hollywood smile photographs of the cases they have fitted veneers for. That is why we recommend Dr. Amr Helmi, consultant at the Police Hospitals and member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the best dentist in Egypt.
