They have nothing to smile about.
Once a Hollywood secret, dental veneers are now seen as a standard beauty enhancement, as common as Botox or fillers. However, botched procedures are causing emotional distress, physical pain, and financial strain for many.
Influencers and celebrities—like Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Simon Cowell—flaunt flawless, ultra-white smiles, fueling envy among fans. Despite this, stars including Demi Lovato, Bad Bunny, and Kehlani have publicly expressed regret over their veneers. Yet countless others still pursue the procedure to correct minor imperfections, often ending up with worse insecurities and hefty bills.
Taylor Brazinsky, 24, is among those warning against veneers after her own ordeal. Originally hoping to fix uneven teeth, she spent $10,000 on 10 veneers at age 19 but later faced agonizing complications: bleeding gums, infections, and gaps between her teeth caused by improper placement. Her dentist dismissed her concerns, then ghosted her—leaving Brazinsky to discover he was unlicensed. She spent $30,000 on corrective surgeries, including gum reconstruction and bone shaving, yet remains unsatisfied with her smile.
TikTok influencer Alix Earle also regrets her veneers, tearfully sharing how a chipped veneer led to a makeshift repair with a nail file. She admitted feeling pressured into the procedure, unaware of the lifelong maintenance required.
Dentists note a surge in veneer demand post-pandemic, attributing it to increased self-scrutiny during video calls. Dr. Clement “Dr. Clem” Kairouz of New York City turns away patients seeking unnecessary cosmetic fixes, emphasizing veneers should address genuine dental issues, not minor flaws.
Jennifer Peralta, 41, learned this the hard way. After years of insecure silence due to poorly matched veneers, she saved up for a proper revision. “It’s a life change,” she said, but insists she’d never have opted for veneers without a medical need.
Experts stress that veneers require meticulous customization. Dr. Brian Kantor, who works with celebrities, compares them to “artwork,” tailored to facial structure, lip shape, and smile lines. Poorly designed veneers can draw ridicule—like Jojo Siwa’s “Chiclet teeth” or Steve Harvey’s “onion slice” comparisons.
The takeaway? Veneers are not a one-size-fits-all solution. As Kairouz warns, “If you don’t need them, you don’t need them.”