Cosmetic Dentistry: Your Ticket to a Movie Star Smile

A picture-perfect smile is often the first thing we notice about celebrities. And each camera-ready grin is unique.

"A round face, like Queen Latifah's, looks best with teeth that are slightly rounded at the edges," said Dr. Michael Schneider, a cosmetic dentist. "Usher has a square face - his teeth are more square and slightly smaller. Will Smith, who has a rectangular face, has teeth that are similar to Usher's, yet with slightly sharper line angles."

"With a heart-shaped face like Drew Barrymore's, the chin is more noticeable. The teeth can't line up like [those with] a square or rectangular face and need to have some slight rotation, showing characterization."

However, some of us weren't born with a superstar grin. The dazzling smile you see in magazines and movies or on the street may be the result of cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as veneers.

To avoid the pain that can come with applying regular veneers, people are turning to Lumineers by Cerinate.

Unlike regular veneers, Lumineers doesn't require drilling or grinding down sensitive tooth structure. The procedure is minimally invasive, making anesthesia and pain shots unnecessary.

Clinically proven to last up to 20 years, Lumineers is contact lens-thin and provides instant teeth straightening and permanent whitening, transforming misshapen teeth into a naturally beautiful and perfect smile. It is a convenient substitute for braces and can be used on worn teeth to strengthen them and prevent further wear. Lumineers also can be placed over crowns and bridges to improve aesthetics.

A Lumineers application can be completed in two short visits to the dentist.

Approximately 8,500 dentists use Lumineers, made from Cerinate, a porcelain developed by Santa Maria, Calif.-based Den-Mat Corp. It comes with a five-year replacement warranty.