Cosmetic Dentistry · Led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie) · Last reviewed May 2026
A Hollywood Smile That Stays
Inside Your Mouth.
Picasso Dental designs full Hollywood Smiles in Vietnam using 16 to 20 Emax Press, Emax Press Plus or Lisi premium ceramic veneers, every porcelain restoration covered by a 7-year material warranty. Most cases use 16 to 20 porcelain veneers across the upper and lower visible teeth, planned digitally with Digital Smile Design and previewed in your own mouth before any tooth is touched. Cases are led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist, with iTero scans and full-arch wax-ups across our six branches.
What is a Hollywood Smile?
A Hollywood Smile is a coordinated set of 16 to 20 porcelain veneers placed across the upper and lower visible teeth, designed as a uniform set rather than as individual restorations. Most cases use Emax pressed lithium disilicate or Lisi premium ceramic. The defining feature is not the number of veneers, it is that every visible tooth in your smile line is designed together, so shape, length, shade and proportion read as one smile.
Smile Makeover vs Hollywood Smile, What's the Difference?
A smile makeover is the broader umbrella, it might involve whitening, orthodontics, gum contouring, and 6 to 10 veneers across the upper front teeth, sequenced over months. A Hollywood Smile is a specific endpoint within that umbrella: 16 to 20 veneers across both arches, delivered as a single coordinated set. Hollywood Smile is a subset of smile makeover, not a synonym for it. If you want to change shade and minor shape on 6 front teeth, you do not need a Hollywood Smile. If you want a full visible smile rebuilt as one piece, you do.
Why Picasso for Hollywood Smile
Designed Digitally Before You Commit
Every Hollywood Smile begins with photographs, an iTero scan, and a full-arch Digital Smile Design preview. You see the planned shape, length and shade of all 16 to 20 veneers, and approve them, before any tooth is prepared.
Conservative 0.3–0.5mm Preparation
Even on a 20-veneer case, we remove only 0.3 to 0.5mm of enamel per tooth, a fraction of what crown-style aggressive preparation removes. Where a case allows, we use non-prep techniques on individual teeth within the set.
Premium Emax and Lisi Only
Emax Press, Emax Press Plus and Lisi pressed ceramic, the same lithium disilicate materials used by top cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Paris. Every veneer in the set comes with a 7-year material warranty, documented per unit.
Full-Mouth In-Mouth Mock-Up
Before final bonding, you wear a temporary mock-up of the entire planned smile in your mouth. You speak, smile, photograph yourself and live with the design for a short trial. Length, edge profile and tooth proportion are adjusted before the porcelain is finalised.
Dedicated Cosmetic Dentist
Hollywood Smile cases at Picasso are led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist. A 16-to-20 veneer case is a different discipline from single-tooth restorative work, your set is designed by someone whose week is built around smile design.
iTero Digital Impressions
No putty trays, no gagging on alginate. The iTero scanner captures the prepared arches in minutes with sub-30-micron accuracy, so every veneer in the set fits precisely on the first try and shade-matching is calibrated digitally.
Hollywood Smile Configurations & Warranties
Final quote depends on the number of teeth in your visible smile and any preparatory work needed (whitening, gum contouring, treatment of existing decay).
| Package | Warranty |
|---|---|
| 16 veneers · Emax Press | 7 years |
| 16 veneers · Emax Press Plus | 7 years |
| 16 veneers · Lisi premium | 7 years |
| 20 veneers · Emax Press | 7 years |
| 20 veneers · Lisi premium | 7 years |
| Optional gum contouring | n/a |
For itemised pricing, see the cosmetic dentistry cost guide. Smaller case? See per-unit veneer detail. Considering full-coverage instead? See porcelain crowns.
8 vs 10 vs 16 vs 20 Veneers, How Many Do You Actually Need?
The right number depends on how wide your smile is, not on how dramatic you want the result. Here is the honest version, decided after photographs and a smile-line analysis.
8 Veneers (Upper Front Only)
Covers the 8 upper teeth visible in a normal smile. Right when only your upper teeth show when you talk and smile, and the lowers are healthy and well-shaded. This is a smile makeover, not a Hollywood Smile.
10 Veneers (Upper Wide Smile)
Covers upper teeth out to the second premolars. Right for patients with a wider smile line where the back teeth show when laughing, but the lower arch is acceptable as is.
16 Veneers (Both Arches, Standard)
8 upper plus 8 lower. The standard Hollywood Smile when both arches are visible in your smile and laugh. Most international patients fit this category.
20 Veneers (Both Arches, Wide)
10 upper plus 10 lower. Right when you have a very wide smile line and the second premolars show when you laugh. Available in Emax Press, Emax Press Plus and Lisi.
More Than 20?
Rarely justified. Molars at the back of the mouth are generally not visible in a smile and a veneer there adds cost without aesthetic benefit. If a back molar needs work, it usually needs a crown or onlay, not a veneer.
How We Decide With You
At consultation we photograph you smiling and laughing naturally, then mark the visible smile line. The number of veneers follows from what is actually visible. We will not upsell you to 20 if 16 covers your smile line.
Who Is, and Isn't, a Good Candidate?
A 16-to-20 veneer case is irreversible and substantial. It suits some patients beautifully and is the wrong tool for others. Here is the honest version, decided after photographs, an iTero scan and a bite assessment.
You're a Strong Candidate If
You want a coordinated change in shape, shade and proportion across your full visible smile.
Your bite is stable, no significant overbite, crossbite or grinding-driven wear pattern.
Your teeth have intact enamel for the veneers to bond to across both arches.
Your gums are healthy, with no active periodontal disease.
You are willing to wear a nightguard every night and attend 6-month hygiene visits.
You have 2 to 3 weeks available for the case to complete properly.
You accept that the change is irreversible, this is not a trial run.
A Hollywood Smile May Not Be Right If
You grind or clench heavily without protection, porcelain across 16 to 20 teeth is more surface to fracture, not less.
You have moderate or severe misalignment, Invisalign or braces should come first, then a smaller veneer case.
You have several teeth with large existing fillings or weakened structure, those teeth need crowns, not veneers.
You have active gum disease or extensive decay, both must be treated first.
You have significant enamel loss, there may not be enough surface for reliable bonding across the full set.
You expect 16 to 20 veneers to function permanently with no maintenance, they will need partial replacement at some point in your lifetime.
How a Hollywood Smile is Designed and Placed
Six steps from first photograph to final bonding. A 16-to-20 veneer case takes 2 to 3 weeks of clinic time, most international patients complete it in a single trip.
1. Consultation + Full Photography
Dr. Rosie examines your bite, gums and tooth structure, takes high-resolution clinical photographs and confirms whether a full Hollywood Smile is the right tool, or whether whitening, orthodontics or partial veneers would do a better job.
2. Digital Smile Design + Full-Arch Wax-Up
We model the new smile digitally across both arches and produce a physical wax-up of every veneer. You see exactly how the planned 16 to 20 veneers will look together, in 2D and 3D, before any clinical work begins.
3. In-Mouth Mock-Up
A temporary, removable composite mock-up of the entire planned smile is placed directly on your teeth so you can speak, smile and live with the new shape for a short trial. Adjustments are made before any tooth is prepared.
4. Tooth Preparation + iTero Scan
Minimal enamel is removed (0.3 to 0.5mm for Emax Press; less for non-prep candidates). We capture an iTero scan of all prepared teeth, fit a temporary set across both arches, and the lab manufactures your final veneers as a coordinated set.
5. Try-In + Bonding
At the bonding visit, the full set is tried in for fit, shade and contact. Each veneer is then bonded with light-cured adhesive, working systematically across the arches. Final polish, occlusion check, photographs.
6. Nightguard + Aftercare
A custom nightguard is taken at the bonding visit and delivered before you leave. We schedule 6-month hygiene visits and provide written aftercare for protecting a multi-veneer case long term.
Risks & Honest Tradeoffs
A Hollywood Smile is a long-established cosmetic restoration scaled across the full visible smile, but no dental procedure is risk-free. Here is what the literature reports, what can go wrong, and how Picasso minimises the avoidable risks.
Documented Longevity
Long-term clinical studies, including Layton & Walton (2012), report porcelain veneer survival of around 94% at 10 years and 67% at 20 years. Across a 16-to-20 veneer set, expect partial replacement at some point in your lifetime. Few patients keep the original set untouched for 20+ years.
The Irreversibility Tradeoff
Conventional Emax Press veneers require a small amount of enamel removal per tooth, that enamel does not regrow. Once you commit to a 16-to-20 veneer Hollywood Smile, every prepared tooth will always need a veneer or crown to seal its surface. This is not reversible, plan accordingly.
What Can Go Wrong
Debonding (an individual veneer comes off the tooth, usually re-cementable). Fracture (porcelain chips or cracks, especially in grinders). Marginal staining (colour pickup at bond lines over years). Sensitivity (typically transient, in the weeks after preparation).
How We Minimise Risk
Conservative 0.3 to 0.5mm preparation only. Digital Smile Design and physical mock-up before bonding. iTero digital impressions for sub-30-micron fit. Mandatory nightguard for every Hollywood Smile case. Premium Emax and Lisi pressed-ceramic materials with manufacturer documentation.
If a Veneer Fails Within Warranty
Within the 7-year material warranty and under normal use, individual replacement is covered. We retain your full digital records so a duplicate matches the rest of the set without redesigning the smile.
What We Will Tell You No To
If you grind heavily without willingness to wear a nightguard, we will decline. If you have active gum disease, we treat that first. If your case really needs orthodontics or several crowns rather than 16 veneers, we will say so. Veneers placed on the wrong patient look beautiful for a year and fail expensively after that. We are not interested in that outcome.
Designed by a Dedicated Cosmetic Dentist
Your Cosmetic Team
Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie)
Cosmetic Dentist. Leads Hollywood Smile and smile makeover cases at Picasso. Smile design is a different discipline from general restorative work, your set is designed by someone whose week is built around it.
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director. Founded the original clinic in Hanoi in 2013 and led the 2023 rebrand to Picasso Dental. Sets clinical standards for case selection, surgical protocols and prosthetic delivery group-wide.
Hollywood Smile Patients in Their Own Words
Patient Stories
International Patient Journey, 2 to 3 Week Single Trip
A Hollywood Smile fits a single dental tourism trip. We plan the case digitally before you fly so every clinical visit is sequenced into your stay.
Before You Fly
Send recent photographs of your smile and any prior dental records. We hold a video consultation, give a preliminary plan and quote, and book your clinic dates so the lab schedule is reserved.
Day 1: Consultation + Scan
Clinical examination, photographs, iTero scan, bite analysis. We confirm the plan in person and start the Digital Smile Design.
Day 3 to 5: Mock-Up
You wear an in-mouth mock-up of the planned smile. Speak, smile, photograph yourself, decide on length and shape adjustments. The wax-up is finalised.
Day 7 to 10: Preparation
Conservative 0.3 to 0.5mm preparation across both arches under local anaesthetic. iTero scan of prepared teeth. Temporary set fitted across both arches.
Day 14 to 18: Bonding
Try-in of the full set, then systematic bonding across upper and lower arches. Final polish, occlusion check, photographs. Custom nightguard delivered.
After You Fly Home
Written aftercare in English and Vietnamese. We respond to questions by email or WhatsApp. Within-warranty issues are coordinated remotely with your local dentist where possible. See our international patient guide.
Common Questions
How many veneers does a Hollywood Smile actually need?
Most Hollywood Smile cases use 16 veneers (8 upper plus 8 lower) or 20 veneers (10 upper plus 10 lower). The exact count depends on how wide you smile. If your back teeth show when you laugh, 20 is the right number. If only the front 8 show, 16 is enough. Going beyond 20 is rarely justified.
Can I get a Hollywood Smile in one trip?
Yes, but plan for 2 to 3 weeks on the ground. The full sequence is: consultation and scan day 1, Digital Smile Design and mock-up around day 3 to 5, preparation and impressions around day 7 to 10, then final bonding around day 14 to 18. We plan the case digitally before you fly so timing fits a single trip.
Will a Hollywood Smile look fake?
Only if the design is wrong. The 'fake' look comes from veneers that are too white, too uniform in shape, and too long for the patient's face. We design with proportion to your face, age and lip line, use Emax or Lisi porcelain with natural translucency, and you approve the in-mouth mock-up before any porcelain is finalised. Patients who want subtle get subtle. Patients who want bright get bright, but never plastic.
Does it hurt to get 16 or 20 veneers prepared?
Preparation is done under local anaesthetic so the appointment itself is not painful. The first 24 to 48 hours after preparation, while you wear temporaries, can include mild sensitivity to hot and cold. This typically settles within a few days and is fully resolved once final veneers are bonded.
Will Hollywood Smile veneers stain?
Emax and Lisi porcelain resist staining far better than natural teeth, the surface is glazed ceramic. Coffee, red wine and tea will not change the colour of the porcelain itself. The bond margin between each veneer and the tooth can pick up colour over years, which is one reason 6-month hygiene visits matter.
What if one veneer chips or comes off?
Within the 7-year material warranty and under normal use, replacement is covered. If a single veneer fractures, we make and bond a replacement. We retain your full digital records so a duplicate matches the rest of the set.
Will my speech change?
For a few days, possibly. Your tongue and lips need to adjust to the new shape and length of the front teeth. Most patients adapt within 3 to 7 days. The mock-up phase exists partly to test this before final bonding, if 's' or 'f' sounds are off, we shorten or recontour before the porcelain is made.
Can I eat normally with a Hollywood Smile?
Yes, with sensible limits. Bonded porcelain veneers handle normal eating including most meats, fruit and vegetables. We advise against biting directly into hard items (ice, hard nuts, bones, pen lids) or using teeth as tools. A nightguard is mandatory if you grind or clench.
What happens after 10 years?
Long-term studies (Layton & Walton, 2012) report porcelain veneer survival of around 94% at 10 years and 67% at 20 years. Expect that some veneers in your set will need replacement at some point in your lifetime. Because we keep your digital records, replacements can be fabricated to match the existing set without redesigning the smile.
Do you do Hollywood Smiles for heavy grinders?
Carefully, and not always. Heavy grinding (bruxism) fractures porcelain. For grinders, we either decline the case, or recommend full-coverage crowns instead of veneers, or insist on a strict nightguard protocol with documented compliance. Veneers placed on a heavy grinder without protection will fail expensively, and we are not interested in that outcome.
Start Here
See Your Hollywood Smile
Before Any Tooth is Touched.
Book a free cosmetic consultation. We'll photograph and scan your smile, build a Digital Smile Design preview across both arches, recommend 16 or 20 veneers in Emax or Lisi, and quote you in writing before any clinical work begins.