Brian Damage
12-08-2006, 08:41 PM
Elliott Yamin may have been disappointed when he was eliminated on "American Idol," but he just can't help smiling nowadays.
The buttery-voiced singer has received a $50,000 dental makeover to fix the unfortunate crossbite that plagued him during the run of the show and prevented him from smiling fully in photos, reports People.
"I've always wanted to have a nicer smile," admits Yamin, 28. "I used to look at old pictures of myself, and I figured out how to kind of smile without displaying all my teeth."
Beverly Hills dentist David Frey, who provided the dental work and porcelain veneers free of charge, says that the new look will help Yamin's career beyond just his image.
"It is going to help muscle function, it is going to increase the volume [of his voice] maybe," says Frey. "So if anything, he could become an even better singer."
Yamin agrees, adding that the straight teeth might allow him to "express my emotions better" during performances.
More importantly, his girlfriend, model Jaime Paetz, approves. "He loves to laugh, he loves to smile," she says. "I liked his old teeth, but if [the veneers] make him happy, then I'm happy."
In recent photos, it appears that Yamin has also grown out his hair, making him look more relaxed. Perhaps this whole rejuvenated image is a symptom of his latest good news: He's signed a songwriting deal with Sony's publishing division, and his debut album is due in early 2007.
The buttery-voiced singer has received a $50,000 dental makeover to fix the unfortunate crossbite that plagued him during the run of the show and prevented him from smiling fully in photos, reports People.
"I've always wanted to have a nicer smile," admits Yamin, 28. "I used to look at old pictures of myself, and I figured out how to kind of smile without displaying all my teeth."
Beverly Hills dentist David Frey, who provided the dental work and porcelain veneers free of charge, says that the new look will help Yamin's career beyond just his image.
"It is going to help muscle function, it is going to increase the volume [of his voice] maybe," says Frey. "So if anything, he could become an even better singer."
Yamin agrees, adding that the straight teeth might allow him to "express my emotions better" during performances.
More importantly, his girlfriend, model Jaime Paetz, approves. "He loves to laugh, he loves to smile," she says. "I liked his old teeth, but if [the veneers] make him happy, then I'm happy."
In recent photos, it appears that Yamin has also grown out his hair, making him look more relaxed. Perhaps this whole rejuvenated image is a symptom of his latest good news: He's signed a songwriting deal with Sony's publishing division, and his debut album is due in early 2007.