How to Avoid the “Chiclet” Smile and Why Some Dental Work Looks Fake
Beautiful Cosmetic Dentistry Should Never Look Like Cosmetic Dentistry
Scroll through social media long enough and you’ll eventually see them.
Perfectly straight.
Perfectly white.
Perfectly identical.
At first glance, they may seem impressive. But after a moment, something feels…off. The smile doesn’t belong to the person wearing it. It overpowers their face instead of enhancing it.
Many people refer to this as the “Chiclet smile”, teeth that appear unnaturally square, overly white, or too large for the face. Ironically, these smiles are often the exact opposite of what most patients actually want.
When someone visits my Henderson practice, they rarely ask for a smile that looks artificial. They tell me something much simpler.
“I want to look like myself…only better.”
That’s exactly what exceptional cosmetic dentistry should accomplish.
“The best cosmetic dentistry doesn’t look like dentistry at all. People should notice your smile and confidence—not your veneers.”
-Marielaina Perrone, DDS
The Most Beautiful Smiles Aren’t Always the Whitest
One of the biggest misconceptions about cosmetic dentistry is that brighter always means better.
It doesn’t.
Natural teeth contain subtle variations.
Tiny imperfections.
Gentle translucency.
Light reflections.
Even slight differences in shape.
Those small details are what make a smile believable. When every tooth is identical, brilliant white, and perfectly square, the smile begins to lose something important.
Its humanity.
“The goal isn’t necessarily the whitest smile possible. The goal is the most attractive and natural smile for that individual patient.”
-Marielaina Perrone, DDS
Why Some Dental Work Looks Artificial
Most unnatural smiles aren’t caused by porcelain veneers themselves. They’re caused by planning. Or more accurately…
A lack of planning.
Several design decisions may contribute to an artificial appearance.
Teeth That Are Too Large
Larger teeth aren’t always more attractive. If the proportions don’t match your face, lips, and smile, even beautifully made veneers can dominate your appearance.
The goal is balance.
Not size.
Teeth That Are Too White
Bright smiles photograph beautifully.
But smiles should complement skin tone, eye color, age, and facial features.
Sometimes a softer shade actually appears younger and more elegant.
“The goal isn’t the whitest smile possible. It’s the smile that looks like it has always belonged to you.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
Every Tooth Looks Identical
Nature doesn’t design smiles with copy-and-paste precision.
Central incisors.
Laterals.
Canines.
Each tooth has its own personality. Tiny variations create depth. Uniformity creates flatness. Beautiful cosmetic dentistry celebrates those differences.
The Smile Doesn’t Match the Face
This may be the biggest mistake of all. Your smile should never be designed independently from the rest of your face.
The lips.
Facial proportions.
Smile arc.
Skin tone.
Age.
Personality.
Everything works together. That’s why I often say…
I don’t design teeth.
I design smiles.
Cosmetic Dentistry Is Both Science and Art
Modern cosmetic dentistry isn’t simply placing porcelain.
It’s creating harmony.
Every smile makeover begins with careful evaluation of:
- Facial proportions
- Lip dynamics
- Smile width
- Tooth proportions
- Gum symmetry
- Bite function
- Facial balance
- Long-term oral health
Technology helps.
Experience guides.
Artistry brings everything together.
Why Smile Design Matters
One of my favorite parts of the smile makeover process happens before treatment even begins.
Patients often have the opportunity to preview their future smile using:
- Digital photography
- Smile design software
- Temporary mock-ups
- Trial restorations
This allows us to make refinements before creating the final restorations. The result isn’t simply a prettier smile. It’s a smile designed with intention.
Less Is Often More
One of the biggest trends in cosmetic dentistry today is actually moving away from dramatic transformations. Patients aren’t asking for “Hollywood smiles.” They’re asking for confidence.
Subtle refinements.
Healthy proportions.
Timeless beauty.
The best cosmetic dentistry often goes unnoticed.
Friends may say:
“You look amazing.”
“You look younger.”
“Something’s different.”
They simply can’t explain why. That’s exactly the goal.
How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist
If you’re considering veneers, bonding, crowns, or a complete smile makeover, look beyond before-and-after photographs.
Ask yourself:
Does every patient look different?
Do the smiles fit the individual?
Do they appear natural?
Does the dentist talk about facial harmony—not simply white teeth?
The answers often reveal far more than a gallery of beautiful cases.
My Philosophy
I’ve never believed cosmetic dentistry should create identical smiles. Every patient deserves something much more personal. The smile I design for one person would almost certainly look wrong on someone else. That’s because beauty isn’t created by copying.
It’s created by understanding.
Your personality.
Your facial features.
Your smile.
Your goals.
My objective isn’t for people to notice your veneers. It’s for them to notice your confidence. The most rewarding compliment my patients receive isn’t,
“Who did your cosmetic dentistry?”
It’s,
“You look incredible.”
A Smile That Still Looks Beautiful Years From Now
Cosmetic trends come and go.
Natural beauty never goes out of style.
When cosmetic dentistry is thoughtfully planned, conservatively performed, and designed around facial harmony, the results remain elegant for years—not because they’re dramatic, but because they never feel artificial.
At Marielaina Perrone, DDS, we’re proud to help patients throughout Henderson, Green Valley, Las Vegas, Summerlin, Anthem, Seven Hills, and surrounding Southern Nevada communities achieve smiles that feel timeless, authentic, and uniquely their own.
Because the most beautiful smile is never someone else’s.
It’s yours at its very best.
About Marielaina Perrone
Dr. Marielaina Perrone, DDS, is a trusted cosmetic and family dentist in Henderson, NV, known for helping patients achieve healthy,
beautiful smiles through personalized, compassionate care. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, she combines advanced dental expertise with an artistic eye to deliver exceptional results in porcelain veneers, dental implants, smile makeovers, periodontal therapy, Botox, dermal fillers, and facial aesthetic treatments.
A graduate with honors from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Perrone remains committed to lifelong learning and regularly pursues advanced continuing education in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and facial aesthetics. Her comprehensive approach focuses on enhancing oral health, facial harmony, and overall confidence through customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique goals.
Dr. Perrone is passionate about patient education, preventive care, and building lasting relationships founded on trust, communication, and comfort. She believes every patient deserves individualized attention and treatment that supports both long-term health and a confident smile.
Proudly serving Henderson, Green Valley, Las Vegas, Summerlin, and surrounding communities, Dr. Perrone is dedicated to providing modern, patient-centered dentistry in a welcoming environment. Outside the office, she enjoys cooking, staying active, spending time with family, and participating in community activities throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Reviewed for Clinical Accuracy
This article has been written and clinically reviewed by Marielaina Perrone, DDS, to ensure it reflects current evidence-based dentistry and the personalized philosophy of care practiced at her Henderson, Nevada office.
Last Reviewed: September 2026
Continue Exploring Natural Smile Design
Beautiful cosmetic dentistry should complement your face—not overpower it.
Explore what makes a smile look believable, how different cosmetic treatments
can be used conservatively, and how Dr. Perrone approaches personalized smile design.
Start With Dr. Perrone’s Philosophy
Dr. Perrone does not believe cosmetic dentistry should create
identical smiles. Every treatment begins with the person—their
facial features, personality, oral health, bite, lifestyle,
and what they want to preserve about their natural smile.
What Makes a Smile Look Artificial?
Open each section to see why certain cosmetic results can
look unnatural—and what thoughtful smile design does differently.
Teeth That Are Too White
Extremely bright or opaque teeth can overpower the face.
Natural-looking shade selection considers skin tone, eye color,
age, lip color, translucency, and the overall character of the smile.
Teeth That Are Too Large
Even beautifully fabricated restorations can appear artificial
when their proportions overwhelm the lips, smile width, or facial structure.
Bigger does not automatically mean more attractive.
Every Tooth Looks Identical
Natural teeth contain subtle differences in contour, edge shape,
texture, and translucency. When every tooth looks copied from the
same template, the smile can lose depth and individuality.
The Smile Doesn’t Match the Face
A smile should never be designed in isolation. Facial proportions,
lip movement, smile arc, gumline, age, personality, and bite
all influence whether cosmetic dentistry feels naturally balanced.
Too Much Dentistry Was Done
Not every smile requires a full set of veneers. Whitening,
bonding, replacing an aging crown, or refining only selected
teeth may sometimes produce a more elegant and conservative result.
Which Cosmetic Path Fits Your Concern?
Natural smile design begins with the concern—not the procedure.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers may be appropriate when several concerns involving
color, shape, spacing, proportions, wear, or symmetry need
to be addressed together.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bonding may offer a conservative solution for selected chips,
small spaces, uneven edges, or minor contour changes.
Personalized Smile Makeover
When several cosmetic, restorative, bite, or gum concerns
overlap, a smile makeover brings those needs together into
one coordinated plan.
Go Deeper Into Natural Smile Design
Natural cosmetic dentistry is about more than avoiding
an artificial appearance. Explore how facial harmony,
personalized planning, and everyday life influence smile design.
What Makes Cosmetic Dentistry Look Natural? →
Want a Smile That Still Looks Like You?
At her Henderson, Nevada practice, Dr. Perrone approaches
cosmetic dentistry with one goal: enhance the smile without
overpowering the individual. A consultation can help determine
which treatment—if any—offers the most natural and conservative
path toward your goals.
“The best cosmetic dentistry doesn’t look like dentistry at all.
People should notice your smile and confidence—not your veneers.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS