The tide is turning on veneers. Once the dental treatment of choice for a perfectly white smile, they are now falling into the realm of cosmetic taboo. “There’s no doubt that the natural look is the way it is now,” says Jon Marashi, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles.
“For a long time, people were looking for a more dramatic look—big, white veneers were seen as a status symbol. But now the pendulum has completely swung back.”
The new anti-veneer movement parallels the movement away from fillings: Many people are starting to get turned off by the obvious look of dentures.
TikTok videos like dentist Sarah Hahn’s popular account @veneercheck are now dedicated to dissecting alleged celebrity braces (most, if not all, are speculative), while celebrities like Cynthia Erivo, Ayo Edebiri, and Kirsten Dunst have publicly expressed—and been praised for—their desire to keep their teeth as natural as possible.
But Dr. Marashi has found that clients still want to do something with their teeth, as long as it’s not seen. “People who may have considered veneers in the past and already have great teeth may be holding back because it’s more based on desire than need,” he says.
“They may realize that big, shiny white veneers have become somewhat of a faux pas. So, they either cherish what they have or opt for more conservative enhancement options like invisible aligners, whitening, or both.”
So whether you opt for a more natural correction or want to fully embrace gaps, crooked teeth, or some other imperfection in your smile, it’s ultimately up to you to decide which way you’re most comfortable. But if you’re leaning more toward the latter, take some inspiration from some of our favorite celebrities.