Too Much White, Not Enough Natural: The Danger of Artificial Smiles

Objective: The objective of this narrative review article is to discuss the trend of “white, beautiful, aesthetic and harmonious” teeth made of composite resin, which in their vast majority cause problems to oral health and completely deviate from what would be an aesthetic and harmonious smile. Methodology: In order to acquire the maximum amount of information rich in content and with a scientific basis, it was necessary to conduct research in databases that provided this content, so searches were made in the following databases: BVS/BIREME, The Cochrane Library, PUBMED Central, Web of Science, Scielo and PROSPERO. Results: Studies show that most professionals perform composite resin veneers due to the great potential financial return that this procedure can bring, seeking to perform the procedure for financial reasons rather than seeking oral rehabilitation itself, which causes many dentists to perform this dental service without worrying about delivering something that brings health and harmony to the patient, delivering a service that is artificial and that impacts the patient's health. Conclusion: A range of studies indicate that these composite resin veneers, when made with low-quality resins and light-curing devices, cannot have a long useful life. Furthermore, when they are poorly adapted and made without respecting the patient's biological structure, they can trigger problems with the patient's oral health, such as gingivitis, periodontal diseases, psychological problems and other conditions.