Few are born with the proverbial "Hollywood Smile," that radiantly white, perfectly straight-toothed, heart-stopping display of star-quality beauty. Here's a little inside information: many Hollywood stars aren't born with those dazzling smiles either. It simply isn't necessary any longer with the wonderful advances in dentistry that make that Hollywood Smile available to all, regardless of the teeth they were born with or damage that results from injury, illness, or time.

Most people have at least one or two flaws, including gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, "gummy" smiles, chips, cracks, discolored teeth, or other issues. Some of these problems are quick and easy for a dentist to remedy, such as teeth whitening. Others require the special training and techniques offered by a cosmetic dentist.

dental clinic

Though not recognized as a separate field from general dentistry by the American Dental Association, cosmetic dentistry is a specialized area that focuses on more than the diagnosis and treatment of oral disease and preventative care. It is an aesthetic art, improving the appearance of a smile in often dramatic ways that can change lives. Some of those Hollywood stars may literally owe their careers to a talented Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist. For others, cosmetic dentistry has given them the self-confidence and competitive edge in life and business to help them fulfill their dreams.

The cosmetic dentist has a variety of methods and materials to correct most any imperfection from simple whitening to whole mouth make-overs. In addition to teeth bleaching and laser whitening, some of these procedures include bonding, porcelain veneers, filling replacements, and gum altering.

root canal treatment

Bonding can repair a single chipped tooth or improve the appearance of an entire smile by filling gaps between teeth, whitening, and replacing old amalgam or gold fillings with a naturally colored filling. The composite bonding material is applied to teeth, shaped as desired, then hardened with a high intensity light.

Porcelain veneers can result in a quick and striking smile make-over. Veneers correct stained, chipped, and crooked teeth, even correcting teeth that are too big or too small, with the placement of porcelain or composite veneers on the surface of existing teeth. The result is a white, bright smile and straight, perfect teeth done is as little as three appointments.

dental implants

For those who have excessively "gummy" smiles, or overgrown gums, cosmetic gum alteration can be done to perfect the smile by cosmetic dentists with this specialty and experience. Receding gums can also be treated by grafting to provide a more healthy and youthful appearance.