The Trend: Gaps
While Lauren Hutton, Madonna and Elton John all sport a gapped-tooth smile, it never seemed to override our obsession with perfect teeth—that is, until Lara Stone came around. Often referred to as the “anti-model” for the prominent gap between her two front teeth, Stone’s unique look helped her become the face of Calvin Klein as well as one of the highest paid, most sought-after models in today’s fashion world. With the success of these imperfect smiles, people are looking to create a “false diastema,” or a man-made gap between their teeth.
The Procedure: False Diastema
New York City celebrity periodontist and surgeon Dr. Nicholas Toscano is no stranger to perfect pearly whites. He is responsible for some of the most famous smiles in the country, including past Presidents like George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. While he explains that most people look to close their gaps, there are exceptions. “As the official dentist for One Model Management based in New York City, I do get requests for [false diastema] by models looking for a unique look like Lauren Hutton or Brigitte Bardot.” Although the trend may be fashionable, the procedure can come at a cost. According to Toscano, “there are many risks in this type of procedure in that if you take away too much tooth structure you can expose the nerve relegating the patient to have to get a root canal, or you can weaken the tooth, resulting in a fracture and the need to get an extraction and dental implant.” Ouch.
The Tool: The Reinast Toothbrush
Whether your teeth are gapped, straight or diamond-laden, clean teeth are always in style, especially when you’re brushing them with a swanky toothbrush. The Reinast luxury toothbrush, made in Germany, is composed of solid titanium; the same material used to make a spacecraft, aircrafts and most surgical equipment. It’s deemed the “first everlasting hygienic toothbrush” because it is made for a lifetime of use. The toothbrush distinguishes itself from other brands with its antibacterial coating between the head and the replaceable brush that ensures cleanliness. In fact, Reinast sends you five complimentary bristle heads every six months to maintain its quality. The brush comes in four sleek hues: matte black, champagne, rose and, of course, titanium.
The Product: Theodent 300 Whitening Crystal Mint
What’s a toothbrush without its toothpaste sidekick? We all know that toothpaste is an integral part of our daily cleaning routine, but it turns out that not all types are created equal. The Theodent 300 Whitening Crystal Mint, running you a cool $99.99, is the clinical strength version of the classic Theodent toothpaste. It is sure to give your teeth an unprecedented level of cleanliness with its innovative ingredient, Rennou. Discovered by Dr. Tetsu Nakamoto, Rennou originates from cocoa beans. Yes, this toothpaste pretty much cleans your teeth with chocolate. Unbeknownst to many, fluoride can be toxic when swallowed, especially in children. However, this cocoa-derived ingredient provides a safe alternative to toothpaste that won’t harm the body when ingested.