Natural teeth are making a comeback in Hollywood Aimee Lou Wood's smile is winning everyone over

For many years, Hollywood celebrities have had almost identical smiles, characterized by white, straight, and uniform teeth that sometimes appear artificial. To achieve such a smile, people usually undergo a rather expensive cosmetic procedure in which ceramic veneers are applied to the teeth. In the entertainment world, the widespread adoption of this specific smile has not gone unnoticed—so much so that the Washington Post referred to it as the «Hollywood smile» a few years ago. On TikTok, videos showcasing celebrity teeth transformations have been circulating for a while. However, a shift is now taking place, especially among women: many of today’s most prominent actresses, including Cynthia Erivo, Ayo Edebiri, and Myha'la, embrace their natural and distinctive teeth, choosing not to drastically alter their smiles. «The fact that I don’t have veneers or Botox feels almost like an act of rebellion», said Aimee Lou Wood in an interview with Hollywood Reporter.

The British actress—one of the faces of the third season of White Lotus—has not hidden the fact that her smile sets her apart, sparking much curiosity. «When Georgia Jagger did the 'Get the London look' ad for Rimmel and showed the gap between her teeth, it was a revelation for me», said Lou Wood. Similarly, when Alessandro Michele was the creative director of Gucci, he spotlighted imperfect smiles for the brand’s first beauty collection campaign, choosing the British musician Dani Miller. «No one wants an overly artificial smile anymore», explained a dentist from a renowned London clinic to The Telegraph. «My clients still seek aesthetic treatments, but they don’t want them to be obvious», added another dentist to the British newspaper, which also noted that Sabrina Carpenter and Zendaya both have slight imperfections in their teeth—features that make them unique. One of the most in-demand dental treatments is micro-layering, a technique that involves applying ultra-thin layers of ceramic to the teeth without resorting to traditional veneers—a treatment often compared to «a manicure for teeth».

Has the Hollywood smile lost its appeal?

While the natural smile is gaining popularity, the so-called Turkey Teeth are losing favor. Years ago, many patients traveled to countries like Turkey or Hungary to get dental veneers. In these places, cosmetic procedures are more affordable due to lower labor costs. One major drawback, however, is that if complications arise after the application of ceramic veneers—such as one falling off (a not-so-rare occurrence)—the original dentist may be far away. Additionally, the cost of repairs in Western countries tends to be much higher.

For veneers to be applied effectively, it is necessary to remove the surface layer of the tooth (the enamel), which cannot regenerate. As a result, the tooth is irreversibly reduced. «If you get a bad haircut, your hair grows back, but if you file down your teeth, it’s forever», dentists told The Telegraph. Experts add that, in the film industry, the success of most actors and actresses still depends on their charisma and talent: «Olivia Colman doesn’t have perfect teeth, but her skill and charm allow her to play any role».