What is a Hollywood smile?
A Hollywood smile, also called a smile makeover or smile design, is a cosmetic dental treatment that changes the colour, shape, size and alignment of the visible teeth. It takes its name from the bright, even smiles associated with film stars.
Rather than being a single procedure, it is a tailored plan. The core of most treatments is a set of porcelain veneers, laminates or crowns over the front teeth. These may be combined with whitening, gum contouring, fillings, root canal treatment or dental implants so that the new smile sits on a healthy foundation. The aim is a smile that looks natural on your face, not simply the whitest teeth possible.
Who is a Hollywood smile suitable for?
A smile makeover may suit you if you are unhappy with several aspects of your teeth, for example:
- Discoloured or stained teeth that do not respond to whitening
- Chipped, worn or broken teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are uneven in length or shape
- Mild crowding or crookedness
- A gummy smile or uneven gum line
Most adults are suitable. Any active gum disease, decay or infection must be treated first. If implants are part of your plan, you need enough jawbone to support them. If you grind your teeth heavily, your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect the new work.
Treatment options
Porcelain veneers and laminates
Thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They need only light preparation of the enamel and are ideal for changing colour and shape.
Zirconia and E-max crowns
Caps that cover the whole tooth. They are stronger and are used for teeth that are heavily restored, cracked or weakened. Porcelain fused to metal crowns are also available in some cases.
Supporting treatments
Gum contouring to even the gum line, teeth whitening for teeth not being covered, implants to replace missing teeth, and any fillings or root canal treatment needed beforehand.
How the treatment is done
Treatment is carried out in a dental clinic under local anaesthetic, usually over two or three visits in 5 to 7 days.
Examination and planning
You send your dental history and photos before you travel. In Istanbul the dentist examines your teeth and gums, takes X-rays and scans, and agrees the plan, number of teeth and shade with you.
Preparing the teeth
Any fillings, root canal work or gum treatment is done first. The teeth receiving veneers or crowns are then gently reshaped to make room for them. How much is removed depends on whether you are having veneers or crowns. Impressions or digital scans are taken and temporary teeth are fitted.
Fitting the final teeth
A few days later the temporaries are removed. The tooth surfaces are treated with a mild etching gel so the bonding material grips, and the veneers or crowns are cemented in place.
Checking and adjusting
Your bite is checked and small adjustments are made. Some patients need a final short visit for polishing or fine-tuning.
Recovery timeline
- Day of fitting
Numbness from the local anaesthetic wears off within a few hours. You can eat soft food once it has worn off.
- Days 1–3
Mild sensitivity to hot and cold and slight gum tenderness are common. Most people return to normal activities straight away.
- First 2 weeks
Your gums settle around the new teeth and your bite and speech feel natural again.
Aftercare
Looking after your new smile helps it last. Your dentist will usually ask you to:
- Take any medicine prescribed for you
- Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods and chewing gum for at least the first 24 hours
- Brush gently for the first week, then brush twice a day and clean between the teeth daily
- Avoid biting hard objects, opening packets with your teeth or biting your nails
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Limit staining drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine, especially if you have had whitening
- See your dentist at home for regular check-ups and hygiene visits
Risks and side effects
The risks of a Hollywood smile are those of the treatments it includes. They include:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold, usually temporary
- A veneer or crown chipping, loosening or coming off
- Gum irritation or gum disease if cleaning is difficult
- An allergic reaction to the materials, which is rare
- A tooth needing root canal treatment after preparation
- Gum sensitivity or irritation from whitening gel
- A shade or shape that does not meet your expectations
Because natural enamel is removed, the process is not reversible, and veneers and crowns will need replacing at some point. Agreeing a conservative plan with your dentist reduces these risks.
Results
You leave with your new smile. With good care, porcelain veneers and crowns usually last around 10 to 15 years, while whitening lasts up to about 3 years before needing a top-up.
Hollywood smile in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send photos of your smile, any recent X-rays and your dental history. The dentist reviews them and our team sends you a treatment plan and price.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel and appointments. A translator helps you at the clinic, and a companion can travel with you at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp and passes any questions to the dental team.
What the Hollywood Smile package includes
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Hospital and medical care
Your private hospital room, nursing care, pre-operative tests, consultations with your surgeon, anaesthesia, the operation itself and the medication you take home.
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VIP transfers
A private driver meets you at the airport and takes you between the airport, your hotel and the hospital.
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Translator and companion
A medical translator at the hospital, and a companion can travel with you at no extra cost.
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Meals and comfort
Daily meals for you and your companion throughout your stay.
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24/7 patient coordinator
A dedicated coordinator answers your questions before, during and after your trip, in your language.
Hollywood Smile FAQ
Will my own teeth be filed down?
Usually some reshaping is needed so the veneers or crowns sit flush and do not look bulky. Veneers need only a thin layer of enamel to be removed, while crowns need more. Because this cannot be undone, your dentist should only remove as much as your plan requires, and you should ask how much at consultation.
What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth and suit teeth that are healthy but discoloured, chipped or slightly uneven. Crowns cover the whole tooth and are used when a tooth is heavily filled, broken or weakened. Many smile makeovers use a mix of both.
How long does a Hollywood smile last?
With good care, porcelain veneers and crowns usually last around 10 to 15 years and sometimes longer, while composite work and whitening need refreshing sooner. Grinding, poor hygiene and biting hard objects shorten their life.
Can I choose how white my teeth will be?
Yes. You choose the shade with your dentist, who will advise on a colour that looks bright but natural with your skin tone and the whites of your eyes. Very white shades can look artificial, so many patients prefer a slightly softer tone.
Does it hurt?
Preparation is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during treatment. Afterwards some sensitivity to hot and cold and mild gum soreness are common for a few days.
How many visits will I need?
Most patients need two or three appointments over 5 to 7 days: one for examination and preparation, one to fit the final teeth and sometimes one for adjustments. If you need implants or gum treatment, the plan may include a second trip.
Will I be able to eat normally?
Yes. Avoid very hard or sticky food for the first days, and in the long term avoid biting ice, nuts in shells or opening packets with your teeth.
