Quick answer
What is cosmetic dentistry, and what is a Hollywood Smile?
Cosmetic dentistry changes the colour, shape, size or alignment of teeth. Common treatments are whitening, porcelain veneers (thin shells bonded to the front of teeth) and crowns (caps covering the whole tooth). “Hollywood Smile” is a marketing name, not a clinical term, for veneers or crowns placed on many front teeth at once. Veneers and crowns usually require removing some natural tooth, which cannot be reversed, so the decision should follow an examination.
- Where
- Vadistanbul Business Center, Sarıyer, Istanbul
- Irreversible?
- Veneers and crowns: usually yes. Whitening: no
- Appointments
- At least preparation and fitting, with lab time between
- Final plan
- Confirmed after an in-person examination
- Languages
- English · Arabic · Turkish
Treatment options covered on this page
Porcelain (laminate) veneers
Thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of teeth to change shape and colour.
Read the guide: Porcelain (laminate) veneersCrowns
Caps covering the whole tooth, used when a tooth is heavily filled, broken or root-treated.
Read the guide: CrownsZirconia or E.max ceramic
Two common crown materials with different strength and translucency.
Read the guide: Zirconia or E.max ceramicHollywood Smile / smile makeover
Veneers or crowns on many front teeth, sometimes combined with whitening or gum work.
Read the guide: Hollywood Smile / smile makeoverTeeth whitening
Lightens natural teeth with a bleaching gel; does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings.
Read the guide: Teeth whiteningDigital smile design
Photos and scans used to preview proposed changes before any tooth is prepared.
Read the guide: Digital smile design
Who may be suitable?
- Adults unhappy with the colour, shape, size or minor spacing of their front teeth.
- People with healthy gums and no untreated decay, or who have these treated first.
- Teeth that are heavily filled, worn or broken may be better suited to crowns than veneers.
- People who understand that veneers and crowns need maintenance and eventual replacement.
Who may not be suitable, or needs assessment first?
- People with untreated gum disease or decay, until it is treated.
- Heavy grinding or clenching (bruxism) increases the risk of chipping and needs to be managed first.
- Crooked teeth that could be straightened with orthodontics instead of being reshaped by preparation.
- Whitening is not usually advised during pregnancy, and does not work on crowns, veneers or fillings.
How is suitability assessed?
Start by sending clear photos of your smile and teeth on WhatsApp; the clinic gives preliminary information about the likely options, duration and cost from these. Before anything is prepared, the dentist examines your teeth, gums and bite in person, and imaging is taken where needed. Ask to see a preview (a mock-up or digital design) and agree the number of teeth, the material and the shade in your written treatment plan.
What does treatment involve, step by step?
- 1Photos and preliminary information on WhatsApp.
- 2In-person examination of teeth, gums and bite; imaging where needed; treatment of any decay or gum problems first.
- 3Smile design or mock-up so you can see proposed shape and length; agreement on shade and material.
- 4Written treatment plan with the planned procedures and agreed cost; signed consent in Turkish, English or Arabic.
- 5Tooth preparation under local anaesthetic where needed, impressions or digital scan, and temporaries.
- 6Laboratory fabrication of the veneers or crowns.
- 7Try-in, adjustment and bonding or cementing; bite check; aftercare instructions.
How many appointments do veneers or crowns need, and can it be done in one trip?
At least two appointments: preparation and fitting, with laboratory time in between. For many patients both fall within one trip, but how many days are needed depends on the number of teeth, whether other treatment such as gum or root canal work is needed first, and the laboratory schedule. The clinic confirms the timeline in your plan; build in time for adjustments before you fly home.
What materials are used?
The ceramic or composite material and the shade are chosen for your case and written into the treatment plan. Different materials balance strength and natural appearance differently; ask the dentist why a material is recommended for your bite.
What are the alternatives?
Whitening only
Changes colour without removing tooth structure, if shape is not the concern.
Composite bonding
Tooth-coloured resin added to teeth; usually less or no preparation, but stains and chips more easily.
Orthodontics
Straightens teeth instead of reshaping them with veneers.
Crowns instead of veneers
Better for heavily filled or broken teeth.
What are the risks?
- Removing enamel for veneers or crowns is irreversible; the teeth will always need a covering afterwards.
- Sensitivity after preparation or whitening, usually temporary.
- Chipping, debonding or fracture, more likely with grinding or biting hard objects.
- Over-preparation of healthy teeth, or very long or bulky restorations, can harm teeth and gums.
- Gum irritation at the edges of crowns or veneers if they are hard to clean.
What is recovery like, and what aftercare is needed?
There is usually no recovery period beyond some sensitivity and getting used to the new shape. Follow the cleaning advice you are given, avoid biting very hard objects with the front teeth, and ask whether a night guard is advisable if you grind. Follow-up communication with the clinic is available after you return home; keep your treatment documentation and shade information for your dentist at home.
How long does the result last?
Veneers and crowns can last many years, but they are not permanent and will eventually need repair or replacement. How long they last depends on the material, your bite and grinding habits, gum health, cleaning and regular check-ups. Whitening fades gradually and may be topped up.
What should international patients know before travelling?
- Send clear, well-lit photos of your smile (front and side) and of the teeth themselves; mention any crowns, fillings or root-treated teeth.
- Tell the clinic if you grind or clench your teeth.
- Allow time in Istanbul for laboratory work and a final adjustment appointment; confirm the dates in writing before booking flights.
- Ask for the material, shade and number of teeth to be written in your treatment plan, and take the documentation home.
Who provides this treatment at Adil Dent?
Dentists whose published area of work covers this treatment:
Plan your visit in Vadistanbul
For a local appointment, share your preferred day and language. If you are travelling, ask the team to confirm your appointment schedule before booking transport. Ask for the building entrance and meeting point before setting out.
A booking request is not a confirmed appointment. The clinic team must confirm the date and time with you.
Vadistanbul, Sarıyer, Istanbul, TurkeyPrefer a faster reply?
Message us on WhatsApp and a team member will answer you directly, no form required.
Frequently asked questions
How much tooth is removed for veneers?
Usually a thin layer of enamel from the front surface, but the amount depends on the shape change wanted and the material. Some cases need very little; reshaping crooked teeth can need more. Ask the dentist to explain the preparation for your teeth before you agree.
Is a Hollywood Smile safe?
Veneers and crowns are established treatments, but placing them on many healthy teeth removes enamel permanently and commits you to maintenance. Risks rise when healthy teeth are heavily prepared or restorations are made very long or bulky. A careful examination and a conservative plan reduce those risks.
How long do veneers last?
Many years in many cases, but they are not permanent. Lifespan depends on the material, your bite, grinding, gum health and care. Expect repair or replacement at some point.
Does whitening damage teeth?
Professionally supervised whitening is widely used and is not considered to damage enamel when used as directed, but temporary sensitivity is common. It does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings.
Can I see the result before my teeth are prepared?
Ask for a mock-up or digital smile design. It shows the proposed shape and length so you can request changes before any irreversible step.
Sources for general information
These sources support the general clinical information on this page. Clinic-specific details come from Adil Dent Clinics.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Whether a treatment is suitable for you depends on a clinical examination. Outcomes, healing and longevity vary between patients.