A Hollywood smile makeover creates attractive teeth that are “practically perfect in every way”—the ideal shape, size, color, and spacing, and typically whiter than natural teeth.
But you may be surprised to learn about the unique history and culture of the Hollywood smile makeover, and you may be even more surprised to learn that you can have the same kind of celebrity smile.
You can also check out our video for an overview for what goes into a celebrity-grade smile makeover in Hollywood.
History of the Hollywood Smile
The Hollywood smile was invented in response to a need: Once talking pictures became the norm in the 1920s, actors with crooked and discolored teeth wanted and needed a more attractive smile to show on set.
In 1928, Dr. Charles Pincus created the first porcelain veneers for use purely during filming. These veneers were made with an acrylic material and attached to the actors’ teeth with a light adhesive, which allowed the veneers to be removed for eating, brushing, and sleep.
Early Celebrities with Hollywood Smiles
Some of the Hollywood stars who perfected their smile with the help of Dr. Pincus include Walt Disney, Joan Crawford, James Dean, and Fanny Brice. However, the most famous client of Dr. Pincus was the child star, Shirley Temple.
When Shirley Temple started to lose her baby teeth, Dr. Pincus created a special set of veneers to see her through the transition—creating that iconic smile that cheered countless hearts throughout the Great Depression of the 1930s.
A Growing Trend
After the word got out, the demand for veneers continued to grow. Advances in technology also meant that dental veneers could be bonded permanently to one’s existing teeth rather than providing only a temporary fix.
Today, many of the most beloved smiles on the big screen have been perfected with up-to-date cosmetic dentistry—including those of Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Miley Cyrus. The “Hollywood smile” has effectively become standard and accessible to everyone who wants to shine.
What is Involved in a Hollywood Smile Makeover?
You might not be a celebrity, but a Hollywood smile makeover can help you to feel like one. The healthy look of a perfectly aligned, attractive smile can also help to elevate your professional career—particularly in the performing arts, health industry, sales, and politics.
While the first Hollywood smiles were primarily achieved with the use of veneers, common dental treatments nowadays also include crowns, bridges, and implants. The following are just a few of the restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures that might be used in a Hollywood smile makeover:
Porcelain Veneers
Most celebrities opt for getting porcelain veneers in Beverly Hills to achieve their Hollywood smile. Made from a thin shell of ceramic, porcelain veneers are fused to the front of your teeth with a dental bonding cement to give the perfect appearance in terms of shape, size, and color. This cosmetic treatment can conceal the issue and leave you with a smoother, more natural, and straighter smile if you have any of these common issues:
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A gummy smile (the appearance of excess gum tissue due to smaller-than-average teeth)
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Misaligned teeth
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Misshapen teeth
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Discolored teeth
While some people opt for a full set of veneers, others choose to cover only the eight visible front teeth, or even one or two isolated teeth that are particularly discolored or misshapen. The choice depends on your personal goals as well as your tooth condition and total budget.
Veneers must be supported by a strong, solid tooth structure, so they’re not recommended for weak or physically compromised teeth. Composite resin veneers are also available, but they’re not as strong and they require extra special care.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Whereas veneers cover the front of the teeth and are purely cosmetic, dental crowns and bridges fit over the entire tooth and protect weak and fractured teeth. While providing the structural reinforcement in the mouth, crowns and bridges (crowns that cover several teeth) can also improve the appearance of your teeth and be made to match your natural teeth and veneers.
For many people with healthy teeth, crowns and bridges won’t be necessary as part of a Hollywood smile makeover. Experienced dentists like Dr. Glosman will assess if there’s a need for crowns and include this procedure only if it’s truly needed.
Dental Implants
In some cases, a tooth (or teeth) may need to be replaced completely in order to achieve a dazzling smile. If a front tooth—or even a molar—is missing, dental implants can be placed in your mouth to give you a full set of teeth.
No matter where the dental implant is needed, professional cosmetic dentists take great of care to make sure the implant matches the surrounding teeth in shape, size, color, and spacing. Dental implants look very natural and won’t be noticeable between your other teeth, crowns, and veneers.
Invisalign
Some celebrities started out with crooked teeth, which they treated as part of their Hollywood smile makeovers. If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, a straightening process can be included as part of your smile makeover for the best possible “Hollywood” result.
Like many other modern dentists, we use the Invisalign treatment rather than traditional braces. This system uses a series of plastic molds that gradually change the position of your teeth over a period of one year or less.
Zoom! Whitening
Finally, your smile wouldn’t be a “Hollywood” smile without a whiter-than-usual gleam. Thanks to the Zoom! laser teeth whitening system, you can have exceptionally white teeth in less than an hour and keep them white with take-home trays.
For those with good dental health and a well-aligned smile, a whitening session might be all you need to achieve a beautiful celebrity smile. For others, it’s the icing on the cake after structural and realignment procedures.
How Much Does a Hollywood Smile Makeover Cost?
The total cost of your smile makeover will depend on the dental procedures that are needed:
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Zoom! Whitening: If all you need is Zoom! whitening, the average cost tends to be around $500.
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Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers come with a higher price tag, averating $925 to $2,500 per tooth, or $10,000 to $40,000 for a full set of veneers.
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Crowns and Bridges: Crowns average around $1,000 to $3,500 each and bridges average $700 to $1,500 per tooth in the bridge.
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Dental Implants: Dental implants average $3,000 to $4,500 per tooth.
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Invisalign: The average cost of the Invisalign process is $3,000 to $5,000.
Adding it all up, you could be looking at $500 (for whitening only) to $100,000 or above if you need extensive restorative and cosmetic work to achieve the desired result.
Keep in mind that the costs outlined above are based on industry averages and pricing may vary greatly from one reputable Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist to another.
How Long Does a Hollywood Smile Makeover Take?
Just as the cost of a smile makeover varies, so does the time it takes to complete. The minimum time you would spend in the chair is a one-hour session for Zoom! laser whitening. The maximum time would be around a year if you require Invisalign tooth straightening.
For most people, it’s possible to do the majority of the work in a few sittings over two or three months. At the time of the initial consultation, your dentist will be able to indicate how long your personalized makeover will take.
You Can Get the Perfect Smile
If you decide that a Hollywood smile makeover is for you, it’s essential to choose a cosmetic dentist who takes a custom approach to the procedures involved. A-list celebrity cosmetic dentists like Arthur Glosman will take the time to thoroughly assess your teeth and discuss your goals, budget, and timeline in order to craft a personalized makeover.
Before you start, it’s also important to ask about the best way to take care of your beautiful smile—including diet, lifestyle, dental hygiene, and professional dental cleaning. That way, you will be able to enjoy your Hollywood smile long into the future.
If you do decide to give yourself a Hollywood smile, don’t be surprised if you start turning heads like James Dean or lighting up a room like Shirley Temple.
