Maura Higgins, Molly-Mae Hague, and Maya Jama all chose clear braces over veneers. This choice signals a major shift in what the ‘Love Island smile’ actually looks like.
Love Island’s impact on cosmetic dentistry has been undeniable, with over 80% of UK dentists reporting an increase in aesthetic procedures following the show’s popularity. But the treatment everyone’s asking for has fundamentally changed.
The original ‘Love Island smile’ was unmistakable: bright white veneers that delivered instant, dramatic transformation. For years, veneers were the go-to treatment for reality stars wanting camera-ready teeth.
Veneers remain an excellent treatment option. They’re durable, long-lasting, and perfect for correcting significant cosmetic issues like chips, gaps, or severe discolouration. They deliver instant results that aligners simply can’t achieve for certain cases.
But as Love Island grew in popularity, so did the prevalence of veneers. The look became increasingly recognisable, and that recognition turned into a problem.
Like any trend, what was once desirable eventually changed. Veneers began to carry a stigma. They became associated with being too showy, too obviously “done.”
When Love Island stars like Maya Jama and Molly-Mae began choosing clear braces instead of veneers, they set a new standard. The ‘Love Island smile’ evolved from “look at my perfect teeth” to “you can’t really tell I had work done but my teeth look amazing.”
The clear aligner market is growing at 15% annually and expected to more than double by 2030. That growth isn’t random: it reflects a genuine shift in what people actually want from aesthetic dental treatment.
The most photographed faces in British reality television now choose treatments that nobody notices. The original ‘Love Island smile’ went from being a status symbol to something to avoid.
That shift tells us everything about how cosmetic dentistry is changing: from dramatic transformation to discreet improvement. From “look what I did” to “I just look like myself, but better.”
Veneers still have their place for the right cases. But the cultural preference has become clear: people want results that enhance rather than announce.
At Sale Dental Spa, we see this pattern constantly. Someone books an Invisalign consultation and admits, “I’ve been thinking about straightening my teeth for three years.”
Three years of mental energy. Three years of covering their mouth when they laugh. Three years of strategic photo angles and closed-lip smiles.
All that worry spent on something that often takes just six months to fix.
We use advanced iTero Lumina 3D scanning technology at our Sale practice. Not to be fancy with tech, but because visual clarity matters when you’re considering orthodontic treatment.
When someone sees that crystal-clear 3D rendering of their mouth for the first time, something shifts. The reaction is almost always the same:
“Wow… are they really that bad?”
That’s when the denial stops. You can see it with your own eyes. The path forward suddenly looks clear, and the question changes from “should I?” to “when can I start?”
The biggest hurdle we see isn’t the treatment timeline. Most Invisalign teeth straightening cases finish in 6 to 12 months. By summer 2026, you could have addressed something you’ve been putting off for years.
The real hurdle is permission.
Giving yourself permission to invest in your own confidence. Permission to prioritise something that might feel superficial but actually changes how you move through the world.
Being comfortable in your own skin isn’t vanity. It changes how you walk into a room, how you interact in meetings, how freely you laugh with friends. We’ve watched this transformation happen hundreds of times over our 20+ years as Platinum Invisalign providers in Sale.
We’re holding a special Invisalign Open Day at our Sale Dental Spa to make this decision easier.
It’s not a high-pressure sales environment. It’s a relaxed atmosphere with cake, refreshments, and genuine conversation. You’ll meet our experienced team, see exactly what your smile could look like with our 3D scanner, and get all your questions answered by professionals who genuinely care about your outcome.
What’s Included:
We only have 10 slots available. If you book now and start treatment soon after, you could be finished before the summer holidays begin.
Think about the photos you’ll take this year. Weddings. Graduations. Milestone birthday celebrations. These aren’t just pictures: they’re the memories you’ll revisit for the rest of your life.
If you’ve been thinking about straightening your teeth for months or years, 2026 could be the year you finally give yourself permission to smile without holding back.
Call Sale Dental Spa today to book your spot at our Invisalign Open Day on 21st February. Spaces are limited, and this is your chance to see what’s actually possible before those important moments arrive.
Ready to see what your smile could look like? Contact Sale Dental Spa or book your Invisalign consultation online today.
BACK TO BLOGTo speak with a member of our team to arrange or cancel an appointment or to make an enquiry as a new or existing patient, please get in touch.
Got a wedding this year? Graduation? Big birthday?
Transform your smile, transform your future photos.
The photos from those days will be on your wall for decades. You’ll look at them when you’re 70.
Too many people sit in the chair and say, “I’ve been thinking about this for three years.”
It clicks when they see the 3D scan. That visual proof changes everything. The most common reaction?
“Wow... are they really that crooked?”
The path forward suddenly looks clear.
The biggest hurdle isn’t time. It’s permission.
Giving yourself permission to invest in your own confidence.
Our Invisalign Open Day is 21st February.
→ Save over £1,600 on your treatment
→ Free Consultation & 3D Smile Preview
→ Free Whitening included
Make 2026 the year you stop waiting. DM us to book one of our last spots…
What`s in a dental therapist`s bag? 💼👀
Plus... did Rebecca say FREE airflow? 😉
DM or use link in bio to book! 💜
#DentalLife #BagReveal #DentalTherapist
“Oh wow, that’s life-changing.”
That’s the moment it all clicks. When someone sees their new smile and realises how much confidence was waiting underneath. 💎
This is what we do , we don’t just change smiles, we unlock the version of yourself you’ve been holding back. 💫
Book a free smile makeover consultation with us today and we’d love to help you see what’s possible for your smile. 💜
Link in bio or send us a DM.
Thinking about dental implants but not sure where to start?
We`ve debunked the biggest myths in this carousel, but if you have more questions were hosting an Implant Open Day on Saturday, February 28th, which is your chance to explore how dental implants can give you back your confidence. 💎
What you’ll get:
💰 Free consultation (worth £95)
💰 Save over £500 on treatment
🦷 Meet Dr. JK, our specialist with 1,000+ successful cases completed
✅ Real answers to all your questions
Spaces are filling up fast. DM us to book your spot. If this could help someone you care about, please share it with them. Sometimes we all need a little nudge to take that first step. 💜
No GCSEs. Now an amazing dental therapist.
Rebecca’s proving your starting point doesn’t have to determine your destination. 💪
#DentalTherapist #manchesterdentist #dentista #motivation #inspiration
A dentist gave Rebecca her confidence back at 13. Now she’s giving that same feeling to others.
This is what happens when good care creates good people.
#DentistryUK #DentalTherapist #WhyIDentistry
Everyone buys flowers.
Everyone books dinner.
But not everyone gives a gift that lasts longer than a night out.
This Valentine’s, upgrade the both of you with something that actually lasts.
Professional whitening gives you a brighter smile, a confidence boost, and results you simply cannot get from shop-bought kits.
And right now, you can get it together for a price that feels unreal.
❤️Free consultation included
❤️2-for-1 Professional Whitening
❤️£275 total
❤️£137.50 each
Limited Valentine’s slots 👇
DM “VALENTINE” to secure your spot before they disappear…
A brighter smile together is better than another overpriced restaurant.
If you want a gift that feels meaningful and makes you both look incredible in every photo, this is your moment.
He promised her a masterpiece.
He delivered… something. 😅
First episode of Paint A Mate with dental therapist Rebecca: where Haaris proves you don’t need artistic talent to have good conversations.
Full clips coming all week 🎨
#DentalTherapist #CantDraw #DentalTeam #SaleDentalSpa
Just revealing what’s been there all along. 🤷♂️
Get a free airflow with every hygiene appointment booked in February.🚨
DM to book!
CRITICS ARE CALLING IT: “Why did they make this” “Genuinely unnecessary” “My dentist has lost it” 🍿 😂😂
Who’d win in a fight? 🥊 Therapist Vs Nurse Challenge 😂