Pricey Veneers Have Made Hollywood Smiles Too Perfect

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Pricey Veneers Have Made Hollywood Smiles Too Perfect

As a seasoned gamer with decades of immersion into various virtual worlds, I’ve witnessed the evolution of aesthetics – from pixelated blockheads to hyper-realistic characters. The Hollywood trend towards perfect teeth is just another chapter in this ongoing visual metamorphosis.

Perfection often comes with its own set of challenges. What was once considered a Hollywood ideal, perfect teeth, is now the standard for A-list actors on screen. The increase in orthodontia and decrease in smoking are contributing factors to this new norm. However, it’s safe to say that the most significant factor has been the longstanding trend of veneers.

In modern times, there’s a prevailing trend in Hollywood to transition from unique, irregular smiles like those of Willem Dafoe and Kirsten Dunst (who embraces her crooked smile as what makes her unique) to more symmetrical ones, which are often seen as more appealing. This transformation can cost upwards of $60,000 for a full set of veneers from a top-tier cosmetic dentist in the industry. However, many consider this investment justified given the ruthless era of high-definition TVs and social media where photos can be zoomed in on, as less than perfect work might result in the unwanted “Chiclet” effect and potential public ridicule.

Top veneer specialists in Hollywood argue that while some clients prefer extremely bright and white veneers, they strive for a more natural, subtle look. As Dr. Sam Saleh, who counts The Weeknd, Doja Cat, and Real Housewives among his clients, puts it, “The focus should be on designing veneers that complement your face, following its unique anatomy and contours.” Dr. Kevin Sands, whose practice boasts celebrities like Emma Stone, Miles Teller, and Kim Kardashian, concurs: “Every week, clients ask for veneers to look like Kim Kardashian’s. However, Kim’s teeth are perfect for her – they suit her appearance perfectly.”

Pricey Veneers Have Made Hollywood Smiles Too Perfect

Dr. Bill Dorfman, who’s worked on stars like Hugh Jackman, Eva Longoria, and Anne Hathaway, points out: “I’ve treated many of the top celebrities in this city, and it’s hard to tell they have veneers. The one thing I dislike most is when someone approaches you and says, ‘Wow, your veneers look fantastic.’ I prefer people not knowing that my patients have them.”

These dentists aim for authenticity by emphasizing subtle details, delicately layering porcelain for texture, and carefully gradating the gumline to maintain a human-like inconsistency. They also ensure that their custom shells exhibit translucency at the biting edge as perpendicular opacity can be a clear sign of veneers, according to Dorfman. In other words, they make their work look as natural as real teeth.

Nonetheless, talent managers question if high-priced tags are a wise business decision, particularly for emerging talents. “It’s almost as if they’re asking, ‘Can I really afford this?'” remarks one manager in discussions with clients yet to achieve stardom. (Another industry insider jokes that many young actors take on ‘image debt’ in addition to student loans.)

In fact, teeth often don’t play a significant role in deciding who lands roles. As John Papsidera, a casting director known for his work on ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Yellowstone’, points out, any concerns related to teeth can usually be addressed or managed.

Individuals dealing with dental issues are skilled artisans in the field of prosthetics. While they may incorporate striking accessories like fangs, their primary focus is on the delicate artistry of softening overly glamorous Hollywood smiles into more authentic, everyday appearances. Todd McIntosh, head of hair and makeup on Netflix’s Griselda, mentioned that experienced dental prosthetic designer Art Sakamoto created multiple sets of false teeth for Sofía Vergara to portray the real-life Miami drug queenpin. Afterward, McIntosh utilized specific makeup paints for teeth to yellow them. “Some were more crooked and misaligned, others more yellowed,” he explains. “Teeth are a very particular feature. They can overpower. We chose the set that was least disruptive: slightly crooked, out of alignment, and yellowed from smoking.”

Sakamoto, who created unique prosthetic teeth for Sarah Paulson’s character Linda Tripp in ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’, and Colin Farrell’s character in ‘The Penguin’, explains that putting on these artificial teeth is similar to putting on tailored clothing. This transformation encourages actors to explore their physicality in novel ways, leading them to modify how they speak and respond. As Sakamoto puts it, “It’s a physical change. It influences the way they talk and react.”

Christian Tinsley, who runs a special effects studio responsible for tooth adjustments in shows like HBO’s “Perry Mason”, points out that decision-makers pay particular attention to dental details when it comes to character-centric period productions. There are two methods to make actors with overly perfect teeth seem more fitting for another era or time. A less expensive option is the daily application of enamel paints directly onto the teeth. As Tinsley explains, this is essentially a film-forming makeup that can give a nicotine-and-coffee appearance. A more complex solution involves creating pre-painted micro-thin dentures, like the ones Tinsley made for Annette Bening on an unnamed 1930s production. In this case, the actor only needs to insert these dentures during breaks between scenes, making it ideal for stars whose characters have crooked, chipped, or missing teeth.

Prosthetic dental artist Gary Archer, with over three decades of experience crafting teeth for numerous film and television projects like Austin Powers’ distinctive grin and Mrs. Doubtfire’s dentures, employs techniques similar to Invisalign or creates acrylic shells that fit over actors’ natural teeth. For instance, in the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, he made David Oyelowo’s character’s teeth appear imperfect for the 1860s setting by using this method. Archer explains, “David’s teeth, although perfect, didn’t seem fitting for that time period.”

Beatrice Verhoeven contributed to this report.

I’ve been following the entertainment industry for quite some time now, and I must say that The Hollywood Reporter magazine is one of my go-to sources for all the latest news. If you’re interested in staying updated with the happenings in Tinseltown, I highly recommend subscribing to their monthly issue, which came out on July 31th this year. Click here to subscribe and don’t miss out on any exclusive stories!

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2024-08-05 19:55