[The fabulous history of the smile].

INTRODUCTION: A study of the history of the smile allows us to discover why and how teeth have come to take their place in modern portrayals of the human face. We call this new smile the "white teeth smile", in reference to the social impact with which it is intimately linked. While some professionals commonly admit that the absence of teeth is linked to poor hygiene, history highlights a much more human dimension: sexuality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the history of art, the author traces the history of the smile. CONCLUSION: From shame to glamour, not forgetting pornography, the "white teeth smile" has finally come to make a profound impact on our modern society.