While dental veneers have emerged as an important tool for cosmetic and functional dentistry, many people still think of them as high-priced cosmetic teeth coverings actors get to create the “Hollywood smile.” Indeed, a California dentist invented the first dental veneers in 1928 by temporarily bonding acrylic shells to the front teeth of his Hollywood star clients. With that fix noticeably enhancing the smiles of those celebrities, dentists worked on discovering more realistic and workable veneer materials over the ensuing decades and expanded their application to resolve other dental issues.

If you’re familiar with dermal fillers, you might be surprised to see them offered by dental practices. As a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to reduce signs of aging, a dermal filler is commonly offered by plastic surgery practices and medical spas. So, why would a dentist offer this treatment?

If you’ve lost teeth or are facing tooth loss, you’re probably wondering what the best procedure is for replacing them. Dentures were the preferred tooth loss option for decades, and, yes, founding father and first U.S. president George Washington did have dentures. However, these prosthetic teeth inserts weren’t made of wood, as commonly believed, but instead were made of a combination of ivory, human teeth, gold, spiral springs, and rivets.