How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 29 January 2018

What springs to mind when you think of celebrity accessories? The sleek lines of a pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes? A Gucci clutch? How about a set of braces? While that Hollywood smile is something many dream about, it rarely comes naturally.

Your dentist takes care of the health of your teeth, gums, jaw and surrounding nerves, while an orthodontist has a far more specialised role. Orthodontists works to correct the alignment of your teeth. In short, your orthodontist aims to give you perfectly straight, white teeth - the essence of the Hollywood smile.

Celebrities of all ages are flocking to orthodontists, and emerging with a host of dental miracles. If you have your heart set on a perfect smile let's examine the options modern orthodontics can offer you:

• Metal braces: No doubt what you think of when you envision traditional braces, these fixed metal braces are affectionately dubbed 'train tracks'. Metal braces have evolved over time to feature smaller, more comfortable brackets. Just ask Gwen Stefani and Jaden Smith.

• Ceramic braces: Similar in design to traditional metal braces, ceramic braces are far less visible than their older cousins, employing ceramic brackets in the shade of your teeth. Ceramic braces are both stronger and more comfortable than the metal variety, and proof positive that braces are no longer confined to teens. Tom Cruise opted for a set of ceramic braces around his 40th birthday.

• Self-ligating braces: Similar in appearance to traditional metal braces, self-ligating braces are designed with a sliding archwire that moves as your teeth do. Because they don't rely on the elastic bands used by the original metal braces, self-ligating braces produce less friction and are far more comfortable. Drew Barrymore wore self-ligating braces to produce the warm and gorgeous smile that has become her trademark today.       

• Invisalign: Sported by a host of red carpet royalty, the Invisalign system uses clear, plastic aligners that are removable and practically invisible. Zac Efron, Khloe Kardashian and Justin Bieber have all given them a try.

• Lingual braces: Far more discreet than the other orthodontic options on the market, lingual braces employ brackets and wires attached to the back of your teeth. This no only produces a more pleasing aesthetic but, because the back of the teeth is more robust than the front, there is less of a risk of decalcification. Duchess Kate Middleton and Miley Cyrus have both benefitted from lingual braces.

If you long for the perfectly straight teeth and smoothly aligned jaw of your favourite Hollywood celebs, give your orthodontist a call. You'll be in great company.