You might never guess that some of the most famous smiles that have come out of Britain — Emma Watson’s, Daniel Radcliffe’s, Colin Firth’s, and last but not least, the Duchess of Cambridge’s — are without one crown, veneer, or even braces in some cases.
In fact, Princess Kate’s smile has been considered one of the most famous in the world! But she’s British, so how does that work? They’re supposed to have bad teeth!
Well, unfortunately one of the reasons so many British people have crooked, unsightly teeth is because of the price of dental and orthodontic work in the UK. It simply remains too high, and with the “increasing gap in wealth” in the UK, this will remain a problem for many people.
So what does a British person do to avoid spending £30,000 in London to have your “teeth safely replaced”? There is a compromise. A growing trend in Britain, instead of getting braces and veneers and crowns is to get a ‘micro-rotation.’
What is a micro-rotation, you ask? Cosmetic dentists describe it as a hassle-free way to straighten your teeth. Also called Micro-Contouring, the teeth are “rotated and tilted in small micro-maneuvers to ultimately create the smile of your choice” according to The Perfect Smile. This procedure is fairly new, and can be carried out over a period of a few months. Within this time frame, adults can have straighter teeth without having to pay for and endure metal braces.
The result of getting micro-rotations versus braces is a “very natural appearance because it is a type of mini-cosmetic smile makeover” according to The Perfect Smile. “It still uses the tooth’s natural colours but it simply enhances the way the light reflects the teeth. So all the teeth look harmonious to the lips and face.”
Apparently, getting micro-rotations has become the latest craze in Britain. It gets you the ‘desired smile’ meaning, one most similar to Princess Kate’s. In Britain, perfectly straight white teeth are viewed as unnatural, plus they “must be renewed and maintained at some expense and risk”, according to Newsweek.
To be fair, we’ve had the ability to do micro-rotation on teeth for roundabout 40 years. Back then, one Beverly Hills dentist Craven Kurz developed the technique to conduct the procedure. The technology wasn’t completely there however. Now, it’s facing a resurgence in Britain.
In the end, what makes a smile beautiful is subjective. This shift in preference for a ‘natural’ smile versus an ‘artificial’ smile might not last forever. What type of smile do you prefer?
Dr. Mike Malone and his team practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and current accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants. Check out his website for more information.