All you need to know about dental veneers – and why Cardi B and Jojo Siwa spent thousands of dollars on their teeth

The secret behind many dazzling smiles on our screens, big and small, are dental veneers, custom-fitted shells designed to cover the front of your teeth. Giving your teeth a gleaming new look doesn’t come cheap, but clearly many stars feel the expense is worthwhile.

At the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, when asked about the most expensive item she was wearing, 20-year-old Jojo Siwa revealed it was her teeth. Later, on TikTok, she shared that the aforementioned veneers “cost me 50 grand”.

Many other celebrities, including Hilary Duff and Doja Cat, have also shared details of the cosmetic work they’ve had done on their teeth.

Veneers have been around in one form or other since as early as the 1920s, but recent advances in materials are making them longer lasting and less invasive to have fitted.

“As technology advances in the dental industry, cosmetic dentistry is more accessible than ever, making it easier for patients to maintain their teeth’s aesthetics,” says Rozenberg. “The reality TV surge in the 2000s also drew more attention to these procedures, as shows like Extreme Makeover showcased the dramatic transformations previously reserved for Hollywood.”

Dr Arun Narang, a cosmetic dentist and CEO at Smile by Design in Ontario, Canada, notes that while people of all ages request the procedure, it’s particularly popular among older people. “Their teeth tend to be more stained, uneven, chipped, worn down or weak,” he explains. “Veneers allow them to keep their teeth while having a beautiful, functional smile.”

“Veneers can be a thin shell of lab-fabricated composite or porcelain used to enhance aesthetics,” says Fatima Khan, dentist and co-founder of Riven Oral Care in Houston. “They are recommended for people who are unhappy with the colour, spacing, shape, misalignment or size of their teeth.”

The most affordable choice is direct composite veneer: a resin sculpted onto your teeth. “Direct composite veneers can be done in one day”, she says. “However, this material tends to be weaker, and teeth can stain faster versus indirect composite veneer or indirect porcelain veneers.”

Though this option lacks the natural look and translucency of other methods, breaks can easily be fixed by simply adding more resin.

Indirect composite veneers, on the other hand, are fabricated in a lab. “It’s similar to porcelain veneers and involves multiple visits,” Khan says. While the material is not as high-quality as porcelain, having them made in a lab ensures a better shade match and translucency results compared with direct composite veneers.

Generally speaking, composite veneers are more likely to cause gum inflammation, and typically have a shorter lifespan. But on the upside, unlike their porcelain counterparts, they’re reversible, since they don’t require any reshaping of the natural tooth.

Porcelain veneers are favoured for their natural-seeming light-reflecting properties and their resistance to stains.

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 process isn’t usually painful thanks to anaesthetics and precision work.

“The journey starts with an initial consultation, during which the dentist will assess your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and determine if veneers are suitable for you,” he explains. After preparing the teeth, impressions are made and sent to a lab, where the veneers are crafted.

“Once the permanent veneers are ready, they’re carefully placed on your teeth and bonded with dental cement,” Dr Healy says.

The lifespan and upkeep of veneers depend largely on their type. “Veneers don’t last forever. Over time, they can become chipped or discoloured, and changes to the gum line can cause your natural teeth to begin to show,” Rozenberg notes. She also mentions that not everyone is a good candidate for veneers. “Someone might be a poor candidate for veneers if they have existing restorations that need to be replaced, or minimal remaining tooth structure, which would require a full-coverage restoration, such as a crown. People with active periodontal disease are not candidates for veneers since they would be placed on an unstable foundation,” she adds, emphasising the importance of healthy gums before proceeding with veneers.

Khan points out that daily habits significantly affect the longevity of veneers. “If you drink from a straw, avoid biting your nails, avoid hard candy, avoid smoking and are meticulous with hygiene, they can last longer,” she notes. However, negligence can cause staining, chipping and overall poor aesthetics. “Direct composite lasts about five to seven years. Generally, you can expect the indirect composite to last seven-10 years. Porcelain veneers can last up 15 to 20 years,” she says.

For many people – even Jojo Siwa, apparently – cost remains the biggest obstacle. This varies based on the dentist’s expertise and location as well as veneer type. Porcelain veneers cost between US$925 and US$2,500 per tooth, thanks to their superior look and durability, while composite veneers are more affordable, at US$250 to US$1,500 per tooth. Either way, it’s a significant sum, but for many people, the lasting boost to their looks and confidence makes it worth every penny.