Brits are ditching ‘too perfect’ Hollywood smile in favour of the natural look
According to cosmetic dentists, demand for perfect film star teeth has dropped by half.
A survey shows that two thirds of its members have seen a big decline in clients wanting ‘extreme’ smiles.
Instead, people now want to preserve the individual character of their teeth so are shunning invasive dental treatments that involve the teeth being filed down or removed.
For the first time, US dentists are also travelling to Britain to learn about techniques that allow the smile to ‘fit in’ with the natural features of the face.
These techniques include gum sculpting to fix ‘gummy’ smiles, in which a laser is used to remove excess skin covering the teeth. Also popular are ‘speedy’ braces that can realign teeth within a few months without drilling or injections.
Singer Cheryl Cole is among celebrities opting for subtle treatments such as invisible braces.
She was snapped by photographers leaving Orthodontic House in Drayton Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, following a check-up.
This was on the same day it was announced she’d filed divorce proceedings against husband Ashley Cole.
And, more recently, we reported the latest fashion ‘must-have’ – a gap between the front teeth a la model Lara Stone (below).
Nik Sisodia, of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), said techniques pioneered in the UK are now being copied around the world and that British teeth are no longer so widely ridiculed.
Now US dentists are here in London to learn our dentists’ techniques for a natural smile makeover.
He says: ‘In the past, US dentistry was often perceived to lead the way in regards to cosmetic and restorative treatment, whereas UK dentistry did not always enjoy a very glamorous image in some countries around the world.
‘Rules for what was considered aesthetic could lead to techniques involving tooth structure to be cut back, and replaced with porcelain veneers. Although individually veneers can look attractive, UK and European patients generally prefer individualised smiles that ‘fit in’ with the natural features of the face.’
The BACD in conjunction with the American Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) has brought together some of the world’s leading aesthetic dentists to an international meeting in London this week.
