Famous Smiles: The Celebrity Teeth People Ask About and What Was Really Done

Famous smiles are rarely the result of one treatment. Some celebrities straightened their teeth as adults, like Tom Cruise, who wore braces at 39. Others, such as Cardi B and Miley Cyrus, are widely reported to have veneers, and some well-known people have dental implants. Many of the brightest smiles combine whitening, orthodontics and small repairs rather than a full set of veneers.

This guide brings together the celebrity teeth people ask us about most, explains what was reported in each case and links to our detailed articles. If you want a planned smile change yourself, our Hollywood smile page explains how we design one around your face rather than a photo.

Famous smiles at a glance

The table summarises reported treatments. "Reported" means the person said so or reliable media described it. It is not a diagnosis.

Tom Cruise: braces at 39

In February 2002 Tom Cruise's spokeswoman confirmed that he had started wearing braces to correct his bite. According to the Deseret News, the braces were largely see-through, with a single visible wire across his upper teeth. He was 39 at the time and was expected to wear them for about a year, taking them off for filming.

His case is a useful reminder that a better smile often starts with moving teeth, not covering them. The British Orthodontic Society states that teeth can be moved at any age if the teeth and gums are healthy. It also stresses that teeth tend to drift back after treatment, so retainers are essential, ideally for the long term. According to the NHS, adults usually pay privately for braces. Today many adults choose clear aligners for the same reason Tom Cruise chose clear braces: they are less visible.

Veneers: Cardi B and Miley Cyrus

Cardi B has spoken openly about her veneers, and Miley Cyrus's change from her early TV smile to her current one is one of the most searched celebrity transformations. Both cases show what veneers do well: they change the shape, length and colour of the front teeth in one planned treatment.

According to the Oral Health Foundation, a veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite bonded to the front of a tooth, usually after a small amount of enamel is removed. Veneers can last many years with care, but they can chip or come loose and will eventually need replacing. That is the commitment behind every veneer smile. Miley Cyrus's case adds a second lesson: the gumline matters. When gums show unevenly, shaping them can make as much difference as the teeth themselves. Our guide to what veneers are and our page on gum treatment and gum contouring go into detail.

Braces, whitening and more: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's smile is often described as perfect, but early photos show crowded teeth. As our article on Ronaldo's teeth explains, his change is usually attributed to orthodontic treatment and whitening, with cosmetic work possibly added later. The order is the lesson: straighten first, then decide whether anything else is needed. Teeth that are straight before veneers need less preparation, and sometimes they need no veneers at all.

Small fixes: Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck's front teeth changed between his early films and later roles, and he has been reported to have had cosmetic work on chipped teeth. Our Ben Affleck article explains the options. A small chip is often repaired with bonding in one visit, without touching the rest of the tooth. Not every imperfection needs a veneer.

Whitening: the most copied part of any famous smile

Almost every famous smile involves whitening, and it is the step people most often want to copy. The Oral Health Foundation explains that whitening lightens natural teeth but does not work on fillings, crowns or veneers. That has two practical consequences. If you plan veneers or crowns later, whiten first, because the restorations will be matched to your natural teeth. And if you already have restorations on your front teeth, whitening can make them stand out.

Results also fade over time. Our guide to how long teeth whitening lasts and our teeth whitening page explain what to expect.

Implants and prostheses: when a celebrity is missing teeth

Some famous smiles hide missing teeth. Dental implants replace a lost tooth with a titanium post and a crown, and several actors and musicians are known to have them, as our article on celebrities with dental implants shows. Implants are for missing or failing teeth, never a way to "upgrade" healthy ones.

Kanye West's metal teeth are a different matter. As we explain in our Kanye West article, what was reported is a fixed titanium prosthesis worn over his teeth, closer to jewellery than to a dental treatment you would be offered for health reasons.

Turkey teeth: when copying a smile goes too far

The most cautionary celebrity stories involve crowns on healthy teeth. Love Island's Jack Fincham said in 2022, as reported by Dentistry.co.uk, that he had E.max crowns on teeth that had nothing wrong with them, and that he would have chosen composite bonding had he known the risks. We cover this and other cases in celebrities with Turkey teeth.

What you can copy safely from a famous smile

A celebrity photo is a good starting point for a conversation, not a treatment plan. A safe order usually looks like this:

1. Check-up and hygiene. Healthy gums come first. The NHS describes the main treatments a dentist can offer once the basics are in place.
2. Straighten if needed. Braces or aligners keep your own teeth.
3. Whiten natural teeth. Choose a shade that suits your skin and eyes.
4. Repair small chips with bonding. Our guide to composite bonding explains the limits.
5. Consider veneers or crowns for specific teeth. Only where the earlier steps cannot do the job, and with a written plan for each tooth.

When several of these steps are combined, it is usually called a smile makeover. Our Hollywood smile page shows how they fit together.

Planning your own smile at Doctor Turka

At our clinic in Ataköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul, you are welcome to bring a celebrity photo. Our dentists use it to understand what you like, then examine your teeth and explain honestly which steps make sense for you, often with a mock-up so you can see the result in your own face first. You receive a free written plan before you travel. See real results on our before and after page, check starting prices on our dental costs in Turkey page, read how it works or contact us via WhatsApp. We reply within 15 minutes, 7 days a week.

Sources

Actor Cruise is working on smile with braces (Deseret News, 23 February 2002) · Braces and orthodontics (NHS) · What can go wrong with braces (British Orthodontic Society) · Veneers (Oral Health Foundation) · Tooth whitening (Oral Health Foundation) · Dental treatments (NHS) · Love Island's Jack Fincham on his 'Turkey teeth' (Dentistry.co.uk, 14 July 2022)