You can grin like a star!

Snap-on teeth give you the smile, if not the bite, of a celebrity

BY TANYANIKA SAMUELS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

A new resin-based snap-on tooth cover. Dentists say covers are just cosmetic, not to replace teeth in need of repair.

For the dentally challenged, flashing a dazzling Julia Roberts or Tom Cruise smile can be a snap, thanks to the latest in tooth technology.

Snap-on teeth - with celebrity-inspired choppers - are fast becoming a popular way to get that coveted smile without waiting out braces or dropping thousands on caps, some dentists say.

It gives patients an opportunity to see how one could enhance their smile at very little cost, said Dr. Lawrence Addleson, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

The plastic teeth slide over a patient′s own teeth like a glove and snap into place.

The wearer simply puts them in or removes them with a gentle push or tug.

New York dentist Jeff Golub-Evans offers his patients a variety of celebrity-inspired looks such as The Halle or The Gwyneth for women, and the Denzel or George for men.

A good smile is now a fashion accessory, he said.

Golub-Evans, who first started making prosthetic teeth for theatrical performances, has been fitting his patients with perfect pearly whites for about two years now.

His says his patients include celebrities as well as brides-to-be and those wanting to test drive a new smile before committing to a more permanent procedure.

Manhattan dentist Marc Liechtung is another of the few dentists nationwide who offer the prosthetics, which cost $1,000 to $1,500 per set. He has been fitting his patients with the snap-on teeth for about three months.

The whole idea is to give people the confidence to go out and smile, Liechtung said.

He does about 10 consultations per day, but not everyone automatically qualifies. He does not recommend them for people with gum disease or severe tooth decay.

This is solely cosmetic, Liechtung said. It′s not meant to replace bridgework or the need for a filling.

Dental experts said the prosthetics could last for years with limited usage and careful cleaning.

Wearers can eat with them, but it is recommended that they eat only softer foods, like yogurt or mashed potatoes.

For patients like Jennifer Vasquez, such a restriction is a minor detail.

She wanted a picture-perfect smile for her Aug. 28 wedding but didn′t want to drop thousands on pricey dental work.

They′re very comfortable, she said of her new teeth. It feels just like you′re wearing a retainer and no one can tell. They don′t look like Halloween teeth.

Originally published on March 24, 2005 on www.nydailynews.com

Dr Larry Addleson, AACD Accredited Cosmetic Dentist - Providing Services in Cosmetic Dentistry and Quick Snap Smiles in San Diego County, California.

Dr. Larry Addleson has been selected to be the Executive Editorial Advisor and to have his before and after photographs featured in the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, a comprehensive resource about cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, orthodontics, oral health and much more.

The Art of Dentistry
2840 5th Ave Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92103
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