Actors, musicians, professional athletes – they want to be known for their talents, not their appearance, right? Maybe, maybe not. Some celebs choose to live with the smiles they have rather than alter their look too dramatically with a smile makeover. Others are so well-known for their not-so-perfect teeth that changing their look after years in the spotlight could actually harm rather than help their career.
Here’s a look at some of the famous folks who have said no to a smile makeover.
Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi is kind of the poster child for “actors with bad teeth,” but Buscemi has openly discussed his lack of a smile makeover, saying that cosmetic dentists have offered to fix his smile but he fears he would never work again if his teeth were too perfect. For Buscemi’s career, his oversized, overlapping, crooked, and yellowed teeth lend authenticity to the roles he plays, whether a kooky extra in an Adam Sandler movie or the leading man in an HBO series.
7 male celebrities who owe their smiles to cosmetic dentistry >>
Anna Paquin
Let’s hear it for the gap. Anna Paquin made a name for herself at the age of 11 when she won an Oscar for her role in The Piano. This actress is also recognized for the notable gap between her front teeth. While many an actress has no doubt closed up her gap with Invisalign or porcelain veneers, Paquin shows no concern for her front teeth. She has embraced her unique look that sets her apart from her blonde peers. Also loving their gapped teeth: model Vanessa Paradis, comedian Eddie Murphy, singer Madonna, and actor Woody Harrelson.
Famous fathers with notable smiles >>
Clint Howard
The character-actor brother of director Ron Howard, Clint Howard sports some seriously long chompers with gaps in between them. His teeth are also a little dingy and could absolutely be improved with a professional teeth whitening treatment. Though gap teeth run in the Howard family as much as the film-making bug – Ron sports a small gap too – Clint has used his prominent teeth to keep the kooky roles coming on the big screen.
Smile makeover or natural beauty? Female celebs with the best teeth >>
Mike Tyson
Though he made a living getting smashed in the face and knocking out others, Mike Tyson is just as famous for his antics outside of the boxing ring – namely, what he’s done to his face. Besides the large tribal tattoo running from temple to cheek, Tyson has sported gold caps on his teeth. Most folks would prefer that no one know they have porcelain tooth crowns, which is why so many opt for the crowns that are shaded to match your natural tooth shade.
Get a smile like People’s Sexiest Man Alive >>
Jewel
While her singing voice and unforgettable song lyrics helped Jewel solidify her star, her teeth have gotten her plenty of attention throughout her career. In a celeb culture that’s obsessed with perfection, Jewel has stood firm by remaining attached to her natural teeth, no matter how crooked or snaggle-toothed they may be. She credits her teeth with helping her win her first feature film role because “I was the only actress in Hollywood who hadn’t gotten her teeth fixed!” While imperfect teeth worked in Jewel’s favor, many young actresses would undoubtedly benefit from a smile makeover, whether that involves one treatment or a multitude of cosmetic dentistry procedures.
How celeb smiles influence dental trends >>
Gary Busey
When Gary Busey’s name is mentioned, one of the first things that comes to mind are his prominent teeth. Obviously sporting veneers, Busey may have undergone this restorative dentistry treatment after a serious motorcycle crash in the 1980s. However, Busey’s veneers cover up teeth that were already quite large. The version of the veneers that the actor still sports draw attention to his face and mouth in a negative way. Lumineers would be a better solution for Busey, as the contact-lens thin veneers are minimally invasive and add little bulk to the teeth that remain underneath.
Become a selfie star with a smile makeover >>
It’s important for your teeth to look good, because they do affect all areas of your life, from work to love. While you may be content with the gap between your front teeth, or your crooked teeth, remember that cosmetic dentistry is only one arm of dentistry. Restorative dentistry helps correct oral health concerns that could be giving you pain or other problems. So while you may be in love with your smile, perfect or not, keep in mind that there is always a solution for whatever oral health issue you’re dealing with. Discuss your smile makeover potential with Manhattan cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei.
