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Subtle smile makeover is replacing the dramatic Hollywood smile
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More people now want a subtle smile makeover than a dramatic Hollywood smile, as patients today prefer a more natural look and have become more practical. They want to preserve as much of their natural, unique tooth characteristics, which means less teeth drilling and lower costs. 

Lower costs are particularly a strong motivator for patients, as modern dental procedures can be pricey. Online financial service and portal CareCredit, for instance, notes that a single traditional veneer already costs an average of $1,455. Even the minimally invasive version is costly, averaging $1,068. 

What Does Smile Makeover Mean?

A smile makeover is a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique goals for enhancing smile aesthetics and achieving short- and long-term oral healthcare needs. It involves procedures aimed at improving the facial and mouth structures’ appearance and function

What Does a Smile Makeover Include? 

A smile makeover has no standard or uniform inclusions. Several common procedures, however, allow for patients’ confident smile transformation, including the following. 

Teeth Whitening 

Teeth whitening helps remove or reduce the appearance of tooth stains and discoloration.

Dental whitening is one of the cosmetic dentistry trends that remains strong, with its industry expected to grow from $6.14 billion in 2020 to $8.21 billion in 2026, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports. The ADA further notes that nearly two in ten (19%) of Americans have had this procedure. 

Porcelain Veneers 

Porcelain veneers are very thin, patient-tailored shells placed over the visible surface of the teeth. Their primary purpose is to hide deep stains, chips, and gaps.

Dental Crowns 

A dental crown is a cap that covers an entire tooth. It can restore a tooth too badly damaged for a veneer to fix.   

Dental Implants 

Dental implants provide a permanent solution to missing tooth roots. They involve surgical placement of metal posts into the jawbone (the implants), which then serve as the anchor for artificial replacement teeth. 

Full Mouth Rehabilitation 

Full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive, multi-step approach to smile makeovers. Dentists design them to correct both the function and aesthetics of the teeth and gums, according to this guide explaining full mouth rehabilitation Quebec patients may want to consider. 

Why Is a Subtle Smile Makeover Replacing the Dramatic Hollywood Smile? 

People are moving away from the Hollywood look toward the “undetectable era.” It refers to the shift in patients now preferring results so subtle and natural they don’t bring to mind cosmetic or surgical alterations. 

In the field of dentistry, some refer to this movement as “natural smile design.” It focuses on:

  • Preserving natural facial and oral structures
  • Maintaining subtle facial asymmetries
  • Ensuring dental enhancements complement the patient’s face

Practicality and increased awareness are some factors driving this shift. 

It’s now easy for patients to research what procedures entail, their complexity, and their cost. They now know traditional Hollywood smiles can involve aggressive, risky, and expensive procedures (e.g., irreversible tooth reduction from shaving away enamel for traditional veneers). 

Prioritizing Form and Function Before Fashion

As we go through the undetectable era, more people will likely prefer a subtle smile makeover. It’s a wise, long-term move, as it prioritizes the form, function, and health of the mouth rather than “trendy” but risky changes.

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