The secret behind many dazzling smiles on our screens, big and small, are dental veneers, custom-made shells designed to cover the front of your teeth. Giving your teeth a shiny new look doesn’t come cheap, but clearly many stars think the cost is worth it.
At the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, when asked about the most expensive item she wore, 20-year-old Jojo Siwa revealed it was her teeth. Later, on TikTok, she shared that the aforementioned veneers “cost me 50 grams.”
Many other celebrities, including Hilary Duff and Doja Cat, have also shared details of cosmetic work they’ve had on their teeth.
Veneers have been around in one form or another since the 1920s, but recent advances in materials have made them more durable and less invasive to apply.
“As technology advances in the dental industry, cosmetic dentistry is more accessible than ever, making it easier for patients to maintain the aesthetics of their teeth,” says Rozenberg. “The rise of reality TV in the 2000s also brought more attention to these processes, as shows like Extreme Makeover presented the dramatic transformations that Hollywood envisioned.”
Dr. Arun Narang, cosmetic dentist and CEO of Smile by Design in Ontario, Canada, notes that while people of all ages request the procedure, it’s especially popular with seniors. “Their teeth tend to be more stained, uneven, chipped, worn or weak,” she explains. “Veneers allow them to keep their teeth while having a beautiful, functional smile.”
“Veneers can be a thin shell of composite or porcelain made in the lab that is used to enhance aesthetics,” says Fatima Khan, dentist and co-founder of Riven Oral Care in Houston. “They are recommended for people who are dissatisfied with the color, spacing, shape, misalignment or size of their teeth.”
The most affordable option is direct composite veneers: a resin sculpted onto your teeth. “Instant composites can be done in a day,” he says. “However, this material tends to be weaker and teeth can stain more quickly compared to indirect composite veneers or indirect porcelain veneers.”
Although this option lacks the natural look and transparency of other methods, cracks can be easily fixed by simply adding more resin.
Indirect composites, on the other hand, are made in a lab. “It’s similar to porcelain veneers and involves multiple visits,” says Khan. Although the material is not as high quality as porcelain, being made in a laboratory ensures better shade matching and translucency compared to direct composite veneers.
In general, composite veneers are more likely to cause gingival inflammation and usually have a shorter lifespan. But on the other hand, unlike their porcelain counterparts, they are reversible, as they do not require any reshaping of the natural tooth.
Porcelain veneers are favored for their natural light-reflecting properties and stain resistance.
Budgets and procedure times for getting veneers vary, but as Dr Andrew Healy, principal dentist at Pall Mall Dental in the English city of Liverpool, points out, the procedure is usually not painful thanks to anesthetics and precision work.
“The journey begins with an initial consultation, during which the dentist will assess your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and determine if veneers are right for you,” she explains. After the teeth are prepared, impressions are made and sent to a laboratory, where the veneers are made.
“Once the permanent veneers are ready, they are carefully placed on your teeth and bonded with dental cement,” says Dr. Healy.
The lifespan and maintenance of veneers largely depends on their type. “Veneers don’t last forever. Over time, they can become chipped or discolored, and changes in the gum line can cause your natural teeth to begin to show,” notes Rozenberg. He also mentions that not everyone is a good candidate for veneers. “Someone may be a poor candidate for veneers if they have existing restorations that need to be replaced or little remaining tooth structure that would require a full restoration such as a crown. People with active periodontal disease are not candidates for veneers since they would be placed on an unstable base,” he adds, stressing the importance of healthy gums before proceeding with veneers.
Khan points out that daily habits greatly affect the longevity of veneers. “If you drink through a straw, avoid biting your nails, avoid hard candies, avoid smoking and are meticulous about hygiene, they may last longer,” she notes. However, neglect can cause stains, chipping and overall poor aesthetics. “Direct Composite lasts about five to seven years. In general, you can expect indirect compounding to last seven-10 years. Porcelain veneers can last 15 to 20 years,” he says.
For many people – even Jojo Siwa, apparently – cost remains the biggest obstacle. This varies depending on the dentist’s expertise and location as well as the type of veneer. Porcelain veneers cost between US$925 and US$2,500 per tooth, thanks to their superior appearance and durability, while composite veneers are more affordable, from US$250 to US$1,500 per tooth. Either way, it’s a significant sum, but for many people, the constant boost to their appearance and self-confidence makes it worth every penny.
