Economy Mirror – Exclusive Interview with Marco Chiellini
When Hollywood thinks about perfection, it often looks to Italy, fashion, design, food, style. Now, that list includes something unexpected: a new, Italian-crafted method for the “Hollywood smile.”
At the center of this quiet revolution is Marco Chiellini, an Italian aesthetic dentist whose work has become a point of fascination in both Europe and the U.S. Chiellini recently published The Universal Language of the Smile, a book that blends dental aesthetics with psychology, philosophy, and the design principles for which Italy is world-renowned with a foreword by the famous Dr. Michael Apa.
We met him in New York, where part of his research was conducted, and asked him why Hollywood—land of perfect teeth—should pay attention to a dentist from a small town in northern Italy.
“Hollywood created the myth. Italy perfected the method.”
Economy Mirror: Dr. Chiellini, America invented the Hollywood smile. What makes your Italian approach different?
Chiellini:
“America created the culture of the perfect, white, uniform smile—brilliant, iconic, instantly recognizable. But in Italy, our aesthetic tradition is different. We design things on the person. Just like an Italian tailor creates a suit that exists only for that body, I create a smile that exists only for that face.”
His method combines facial proportion analysis, dental morphology, gum-line balancing, and a psychological component rooted in confidence and self-perception. The goal is not perfection—but harmony.
A New Standard: The “Female Smile Protocol”
Chiellini’s method—already discussed in U.S. circles—focuses largely on female patients.
A choice that is aesthetic, cultural, and personal.
“I grew up surrounded by extraordinary women,” he says. “Their happiness was the first smile I ever cared about. Maybe my profession started the day I accidentally damaged my mother’s tooth during a childhood game. I never forgot that.”
Today, his protocol is attracting attention because it balances science and emotional wellbeing.
American colleagues, including celebrity dentist Dr. Michael Apa, have praised Chiellini’s approach for its holistic and artisan quality.
Why Hollywood Is Listening
Hollywood is a global engine of image and influence. But Chiellini argues that the future of cosmetic dentistry will move from “uniform beauty” to identity beauty.
“A smile cannot be a copy-and-paste operation,” he says. “Scarlett Johansson’s smile works for Scarlett Johansson. Emma Stone’s imperfections make her irresistible. Vanessa Paradis built an entire mythology around her diastema. Beauty happens when the smile matches the story.”
Instead of imposing an aesthetic, Chiellini studies facial geometry, emotional expression, even posture. His method transforms—not replaces.
The Hollywood Connection: Los Angeles Partnership
During his stay in the U.S., Chiellini formed a partnership with the Beverly Hills Dental Laboratory, famous for working with Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro and more.
From this partnership was born a premium service:
patients travel to L.A. and undergo a smile transformation in collaboration with top American ceramists, under Chiellini’s artistic direction.
“It’s a blend of Italian aesthetic culture and American technological excellence. And yes, the chair is literally the same one used by Sylvester Stallone,” he laughs.
The Psychology of a Smile: A Billion-Dollar Industry
Beyond vanity, Chiellini stresses the economic dimension: a smile affects career opportunities, public perception, mental well-being, and confidence.
“Scientific research shows that a beautiful smile increases self-esteem, reduces stress hormones, and improves social success,” he explains.
In the U.S., where image is part of professional credibility, his approach resonates deeply.
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