How the stars get that ‘perfect smile’

Stars are allowed their vanities. Given that image is an integral part of their success, they seek to enhance their physical attributes any way they can – and at all costs!

Little wonder, therefore, why these people always opt to go to professionals for beauty concerns. Any celebrity worth his stature just would not take chances.

For body beautiful that makes temperatures rise, there are exclusive spas and the gyms. A highly trained dermatologist, on the other hand, ensures the kind of rosy, clear skin that makes mere mortals want to cry.

Hair that’s subject to all that blow-drying and styling, meanwhile, is brought back from the dead by regular trips to by-appointment-only salons. But where to go for smiles that beguile millions?

Perfect Smile, located at the third floor of Glorietta II in Ayala Mall in Makati, specializes in turning the color of teeth at least eight to 12 shades lighter. It has become a mecca for stars who want their pearly whites, well, pearly white.

Proofs of the claim are the pictures of high-profile celebrities such as Zsa Zsa Padilla, Marvin Agustin, Christine Hermosa, Lana Asanin, Carmi Martin, Snooky Serna, Roselle Nava and Nina that line the immaculate walls of the center.

If pictures can say a thousand words, these namedroppables share one story of having entered the center to emerge radiant with even more dazzling smiles.

"Stars are very conscious of the color of their teeth because they’re always noticed when they speak during a close-up. As the camera magnifies their teeth a thousand times, it is understandable why they would want to magnify its whiteness, too," explains Christien Frances Tan, general manager of Perfect Smile.

Instead of using over-the-counter teeth whitening products or teeth bleaching treatments dentists offer, Perfect Smile utilizes a patented technology called Brite Smile. This state-of-the-art "secret" not only guarantees quicker (just two hours and you’re ready to go) and more potent (six to 12 shades lighter) results but a longer-lasting (up to two, three years) effect.

"We make sure our clients feel relaxed and pampered every step of the way. We pipe in classical music while they sit on massage chairs (as opposed to dental chairs) during the treatment. Many clients even take naps during the procedure! Also, they can watch DVDs in the receiving room while waiting for their session. We know who our clients are and treat them accordingly. They get ‘the works,’ so to speak," adds Christien.

And because Perfect Smile understands clients pay a high price for the service and have higher standards to boot, the company goes the extra mile to offer extended service free of charge.

"Usually, it only takes three 20-minute cycles to achieve maximum whiteness of teeth stained by coffee, colas, smoking, etc. But if clients aren’t satisfied after this, we throw in another cycle for no extra charge. We want them to be genuinely happy with our results. After all, smiles do not lie," says Christien.

Perhaps another reason why the stars grin from ear to ear after treatment is that they get it relatively inexpensive. "If they were to avail of the same treatment abroad, it would cost them no less than $600 if only because dentists there charge higher professional fees. Our local rate is definitely lower," reveals Christien.

Which is not to say that the service is below par. All dentists of Perfect Smile are licensed and trained abroad so that Filipino clients are assured of the same result as if they got it straight from Hollywood (where Brite Smile teeth whitening is the rage).

So that whitened teeth don’t relapse to their old color faster than what is guaranteed, Perfect Smile has a professional whitening system kit that contains a special toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrush. Why, it even has Brite Smile gums (sugar free and mint flavored) for those "unguarded" moments when you need your breath to "behave" after eating! Talk about covering all bases!

Teeth whitening via Perfect Smile ought to last two to three years. But if you are the super conscious type and want to make sure your teeth are still at its whitest even before this time frame ends, one can always get "booster" treatments every six months.