And why not? With technology like veneers, tooth whitening, Invisalign, natural colored fillings, and dental implants, a dentist’s ability to give patients the pearly white teeth they’ve always dreamed of has never been easier.

Overall, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that some of the most envied celebrity smiles include Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Hilary Duff, Matthew McConaughey, Maria Sharapova, and Tiger Woods.

Of course, it isn’t just everyday people wishing for an A-list smile. Many of the celebrities themselves have undergone cosmetic dental work as well. Just a few of the hundreds of stars who’ve copped to getting work done in recent years, according to Fox News, include pop star Hilary Duff, Michael Douglas, Jon Bon Jovi, Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Britney Spears, and Tom Cruise.

So which stars’ smiles do fans envy most? We took a closer look.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise’s smile took center stage a few years back, when he elected to have adult braces put on after discovering that his teeth were misaligned. Rather than going with traditional braces or Invisalign, however, Tom opted for ceramic brackets which are much less noticeable than metal varieties. Tom wore the braces for less than one year before unveiling an entirely new, straighter smile.

To get a smile like Tom’s, orthodontists recommend having a consultation to see if adult braces are the right option. Although ceramic brackets are usually more expensive than traditional braces, they also blend in much easier with teeth, making ceramic brackets the preferred orthodontic option for adults electing to get braces for the first time.

Hilary Duff

It has been years since Hilary Duff first got veneers, an option she has said she chose as a way to correct four front teeth that were chipped on a microphone back in 2005. Since then, Hilary has reportedly undergone numerous refinement procedures, ensuring that her new teeth are the perfect shape, length, and color.

For the many Hilary Duff fans hoping to emulate their favorite star’s smile, experts at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recommend using porcelain veneers, which are moldings made from high-tech materials that cover the front of a patient’s teeth. Because the moldings are custom-made, patients with veneers are able to choose a new smile that meets whatever specifications they choose.

For patients hoping to look more like their favorite celebrity, veneers are the cosmetic option that is most likely to deliver the desired result. However, especially with younger patients, it is important to keep in mind that veneers are a permanent option and the effects are not reversible.

Julia Roberts

For patients looking for a smile that is as blindingly white as Julia Roberts’, the best option will likely be to undergo teeth whitening at their dentist’s office.

Time and time again, American adults say having whiter teeth is the biggest change they’d like to see in their smile. And while thousands of over-the-counter products exist to help with the process, celebrities like Julia Roberts opt for a quicker, in-office option.

By using whitening products such as Zoom! teeth whitening, cosmetic dentists can make their patients’ teeth an average of eight shades whiter in as little as 45 minutes. Not only that, but the process is pain-free, safe, and lasting, which are just some of the reasons it is favored by so many Hollywood celebrities looking for a smile refresher before big events and awards shows.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker’s timeless smile has long been rumored to have been boosted with the help of a teeth whitening procedure and gum lift. One of the lesser known cosmetic dentistry options, gum lifts add length to short teeth by evening out the gum line for a more visually pleasing grin.

One of the reasons gum lifts have become an increasingly popular option is because 80% to 90% of all lifts are done in conjunction with porcelain veneers, which have also taken off in popularity in recent years. However, as with so many Hollywood smile fixes, gum lifts don’t come cheap. Patients can expect to pay an average of $300 per tooth for a gum lift, up to $4,000 for a full mouth arch.

Custom crafted to fit the tooth they are intended to repair, inlays and onlays can be made from metal, porcelain or composite resin. Because of their natural tooth-like color, porcelain or composite inlays and onlays are often used as replacements for metal fillings in patients who are particularly concerned about the appearance of their teeth.

Inlays and onlays are usually applied over the course of two dental appointments. At your first visit, your tooth will be prepared for the inlay or onlay and an impression will be taken from which the final restoration will be made. You will be fitted with a temporary restoration that will stay in place until your permanent replacement is ready. Your second visit will involve the final bonding of your permanent inlay or onlay to your tooth’s surface.

Who Needs Them?

Since inlays and onlays can be used for both treatment and replacement purposes, there are two groups of candidates for this type of tooth restoration.

First, individuals with highly noticeable metal fillings may wish to consider inlays or onlays as replacements in order to enhance the appearance of their teeth. Because both porcelain and composite resin are extremely natural-looking (and are available in several shades to match your tooth color), restorations made from these materials are less noticeable and can improve your appearance overall.

Furthermore, many dentists now recommend replacing amalgam fillings with a composite or porcelain alternative for reasons that go beyond just cosmetic concerns. First, amalgam can expand and contract, causing the tooth to either become more susceptible to breakage as it expands, or allowing harmful bacteria to enter the tooth and cause further decay as it contracts. Second, there is some concern in the dental community about the long-term safety of amalgam (mercury) fillings. The American Dental Association acknowledges these concerns, but reports that “the major U.S. and international scientific and health bodies, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, among others have been satisfied that dental amalgam is a safe, reliable and effective restorative material.” Still, some notable dental care providers like Hal Huggins, whose criticisms of amalgam fillings were featured on 60 Minutes, insist that the mercury in amalgam fillings is absorbed by the body and can contribute to serious neurological problems. If you are concerned about possible complications related to your metal fillings, inlays or onlays made of porcelain or composite can be effective replacements.

More routinely, inlays and onlays are used to repair mild to moderate tooth decay and damage and to prevent further decay by sealing the tooth permanently. Individuals with moderately severe cracks, chips or cavities are good candidates for inlays or onlays.

Benefits

Inlays and onlays allow your dentist to preserve more of your natural tooth. While crowns require extensive tooth preparation that can traumatize the root and surrounding gum tissue, inlays and onlays involve only surface preparation.

Inlays and onlays also add strength to the teeth. According to André V. Ritter, DDS in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, whereas traditional fillings can weaken the tooth and make it more prone to breakage, inlays and onlays provide added durability and improved bite strength. In fact, many dentists who perform this type of restoration claim that teeth restored with inlays or onlays are able to withstand up to 75% more chewing force. Unlike metal fillings, porcelain and composite inlays and onlays do not expand or contract. So, they offer a more effective, longer-term solution for tooth decay.

Risks

Few risks are associated with the placement of inlays and onlays. Because little preparation is involved, the risks of a reaction to local anesthesia are minimized. In a few cases, patients experienced allergic reactions to the materials used in inlays and onlays. If this happens, an alternative material may be used.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are concerned about aesthetics, are worried about the potential health effects of metal fillings, or simply prefer a more conservative treatment approach, inlays and onlays offer an attractive, highly effective solution for restoring mildly to moderately decayed or damaged teeth. More durable than fillings and free from the uncertainties surrounding amalgam fillings, inlays and onlays are a win-win for the health and appearance of your smile.

What is oral surgery?

Oral surgery is any medical procedure that serves to correct problems associated with the mouth, teeth, and jaw. Many dentists who practice oral surgery are also experts in the field of maxillofacial surgery, which involves surgeries relating to the face, sinuses, and neck.

The most common type of oral surgery is wisdom tooth extraction. Most adult mouths only have room for a certain number of teeth. By the time the wisdom teeth are ready to emerge, often there just isn’t enough room for them to break through the surface of the gum, which results in impacted wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can throw off the alignment of the rest of your teeth. They are also likely to become infected, as food and debris can easily get trapped inside them if they are not fully emerged. The only way to correct the problem is to extract the wisdom teeth via a simple outpatient surgery performed at the dentist’s office.

Other types of oral surgery include jaw surgery (to treat issues such as TMJ), dental implants, and facial trauma repair. Though less common than wisdom tooth extraction, these procedures are regularly performed by dentists who are trained in oral surgery.

Who needs oral surgery?

Anyone suffering from mouth or facial ailments that can only be treated with surgery should contact a dentist and schedule a consultation for oral surgery. This includes people with impacted wisdom teeth who may not currently be experiencing any discomfort; problems from wisdom teeth can arise out of the blue if the teeth are not removed.

In the majority of cases, oral surgery is not really elective, but rather, a must. Putting off oral surgery will only prolong or, in some cases, worsen, an existing problem.

Benefits of oral surgery

Oral surgery will eliminate the symptoms of whatever specific issue is causing the patient to require the surgery. In the case of wisdom tooth extraction, many patients who previously complained of pain and swelling in the area of the impacted tooth felt much better after the problematic tooth was removed. Similarly, many patients who decided to undergo jaw surgery found that symptoms such as jaw pain, headache, and facial tension went away or diminished significantly after having oral surgery.

Another good thing about oral surgery is that the surgery itself is usually pain-free. Patients are properly sedated and anesthetized during oral surgery for both comfort and safety reasons. In fact, many patients will tell you that having a wisdom tooth extracted is less painful than a routine cavity filling.

Risks of oral surgery

Unfortunately, all medical procedures come with a degree of risk. Whenever anesthesia is used during a procedure, there is an extremely small chance of something going awry. To avoid complications, be sure to disclose any medical allergies to your dentist prior to the procedure.

The specifics risks of oral surgery depend on the type of procedure involved. For example, surgery to extract an impacted lower wisdom tooth carries the risk of damage to the nearby lingual nerve, which can result in temporary or, in rare cases, permanent, numbness in that region of the mouth. Extraction of an upper wisdom tooth carries the risk of sinus damage. Your dentist will discuss the risks involved in the type of oral surgery you need and review your treatment options with you to devise the safest and most effective game plan.

In all cases of commonly-performed oral surgery, the probability of significant, permanent damage is extremely low. Otherwise, oral surgery would not be worth the risk.

While damaging side effects are rare in oral surgery, post-operative discomfort is certainly not uncommon. Different procedures involve different recovery periods, and your dentist will discuss this with you prior to your appointment so that you can prepare accordingly. Your dentist will also provide you with detailed instructions for post-operative care. The more you follow these instructions, the more likely you are to recover quickly and comfortably.

The bottom line

Nobody looks forward to oral surgery, but the benefits of it clearly outweigh the risks. A few days of unpleasantness are certainly worth a lifetime of comfort.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Generally performed by a cosmetic dentist, tooth contouring allows trained dentistry professionals to reshape the length, position, and shape of a patient’s teeth with the help of computer imaging and X-ray technologies. And unlike costly procedures—such as veneers—and time-consuming solutions—such as braces—tooth contouring can be used to correct a patient’s entire smile in as little as a day.

What is tooth contouring?

Tooth contouring—also known as dental contouring—is when a cosmetic dentist changes the shape, length, position, and overall look of a patient’s teeth through a sculpting process that involves a sanding drill or laser. Thanks to recent advances in computer imagine technology, most cosmetic dentists can now show patients what their smile will eventually look like before going through with the procedure.

Once the patient has agreed on a final look, the cosmetic dentist will begin the procedure by gradually removing a small amount of surface enamel from the teeth. Once this enamel has been removed, the dentist will likely rub an abrasive strip across the teeth to further alter the shape before eventually smoothing and polishing teeth throughout the entire mouth. Although some patients request novacaine prior to undergoing the procedure, many others find that anesthesia of any kind is completely unnecessary.

While tooth contouring delivers immediate results for many patients, some may need to come back for a maximum of three tooth contouring appointments before achieving the smile they desire. For those patients who desire more dramatic results, many cosmetic dentists recommend returning to the office for follow-up procedures using techniques such as bonding and veneers.

Who are the best candidates for tooth contouring?

Tooth contouring is an ideal solution for a patient of any age who has ever wish his or her teeth were less crowded, lacked pits and groves, or didn’t feature prominent chips or fractures.

Due to the nature of the procedure, the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry reports that optimal candidates for tooth contouring should have healthy teeth with a normal amount of bone to ensure that the contouring enamel has enough live bone tissue to graft on to. Candidates with thin enamel, gum structure problems, teeth that are still shifting, or teeth that have recently erupted may not be considered ideal candidates for the tooth contouring procedure, and may need to eventually seek out a different cosmetic dentistry procedure to find the results they are looking to achieve.

What are the benefits of tooth contouring?

For patients looking to make minor tweaks to the look of their smile, tooth contouring can be a perfect solution. Among the benefits contouring can deliver, according to the Colonial Dental Group in Chicago, include changing the shape and length of teeth, fixing chips and features, correcting unevenness and tooth overlaps, reducing the look of overcrowding, and diminishing the pitted surfaces that plague so many smiles.

Because even small changes in the mouth can deliver major results, patients undergoing tooth contouring can expect a brand new smile upon the completion of the procedure.

In addition to the cosmetic benefits, tooth contouring can deliver benefits to a patient’s overall dental health as well, since reducing overlapping teeth makes them easier to clean and reduces the risk of cavities and other oral infections such as gum disease. Small problems with a patient’s bite and chewing function can also be remedied by tooth contouring as well.

What risks are involved?

Because tooth contouring involves removing enamel from the teeth, the largest risk of the procedure is of removing too much enamel, thus increasing the chances of breaking a tooth or experiencing rapid decay. Any patient who knows that he grinds his teeth during the night should avoid undergoing a tooth contouring procedure, since he is more likely to experience complications and may find the results of the contouring process to be short-lived.

With that said, these risks can be greatly reduced by choosing a licensed cosmetic dentist with experiencing in performing the tooth contouring procedure. For recommendations on how to find a qualified professional, check with dental licensing boards or your local Chamber of Commerce.