There was a time when success in Hollywood came with a certain kind of smile—bright, immaculate, and instantly recognizable. Those flawless grins told a story of ambition and artifice. Today, the story has changed. The most striking faces are the ones that still look human.
Across the red carpet, from influencers to legacy stars, a quieter kind of confidence has taken over. It’s the look of balance: refined teeth that reflect light naturally, a grin that feels lived-in rather than polished to excess.
Guiding this shift is Dr. Kevin Sands, the Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist known for crafting some of Hollywood’s most photographed smiles. His longtime work with clients such as Kris and Kylie Jenner reflects a broader redefinition of glamour—one rooted in ease, individuality, and quiet confidence.
Kris Jenner & Dr. Kevin Sands
“A beautiful smile should whisper, not shout,” Sands says. “The best design looks like it’s always belonged to you.”
The Rise of Quiet Luxury in Beauty
The idea of quiet luxury—understated elegance, expert craftsmanship, and nothing to prove—has moved from wardrobes to wellness. In dentistry, it shows up in smiles that glow instead of gleam.
Sands’ Beverly Hills studio feels more like an artist’s atelier than a clinic. There are no generic templates. Each design begins with a digital scan of facial structure and expression. From there, porcelain veneers and subtle whitening treatments are customized to the individual’s tone, symmetry, and emotional expression. The result is radiance that reads as real.
Inside the New Hollywood Smile
Kylie Jenner & Dr. Kevin Sands
Think of Kylie Jenner’s balanced grin—bright but not glaring, symmetrical without looking strict. That aesthetic captures the moment:
- Proportion over perfection. Every tooth matches the face, not a chart.
- Warm brightness. Shades are chosen to complement skin tone and light.
- Soft edges. Natural contours replace the sharp geometry of early-2000s veneers.
Behind the scenes, Sands and other high-end practitioners use 3-D imaging and micro-contouring to refine each millimeter. The science is precise, but the result feels effortless.
Confidence Without the Flash
The cultural shift isn’t just visual. Psychologists have long noted that subtler smiles are read as more genuine and trustworthy. “When someone’s appearance finally aligns with how they feel inside, that’s real confidence,” Sands says.
It’s a sentiment that mirrors broader beauty trends. From fashion houses dialing down logos to skincare brands emphasizing glow over gloss, the era of excess is giving way to one of ease. The new Hollywood status symbol isn’t transformation—it’s calm.
The Human Touch in a Digital Age
Technology drives the precision, but emotion defines the art. Sands uses AI-assisted design to predict symmetry and movement, yet he relies on observation—the way a person laughs, the tilt of their smile—to decide what works.
“Technology gives us accuracy,” he says. “Intuition makes it believable.”
In an industry obsessed with the next enhancement, restraint may be the boldest move of all.
A Smile That Belongs to You
From Beverly Hills to Dubai, patients now ask for harmony, not reinvention. They want to look rested, not redone. Sands’ approach captures that modern aspiration: individuality refined, never erased.
His long-time relationships with clients like the Jenners have helped shape a new visual language of fame—one defined by ease and control rather than spectacle.
The Hollywood smile hasn’t disappeared. It’s simply grown up.
