Politics

Hollywood’s Most Iconic Smiles: Celebrities Who Embrace Their Imperfect Teeth

From Steve Buscemi’s signature snaggletooth to Johnny Depp’s dramatic 2024 smile makeover, many stars have chosen to keep or transform their imperfect teeth.

August 20, 2026 3 min read
Teeth
Teeth

Many celebrities are known as much for their unique smiles as for their talents. Some have embraced their imperfect teeth as a trademark, while others have opted for cosmetic dental work to transform their appearance.

Notable Celebrities Keeping Their Natural Smiles

  • Steve Buscemi: Known for his misaligned, overlapping, and stained teeth, Buscemi has consistently declined offers for dental correction, stating that fixing his teeth would harm his career. His distinctive smile is considered his most valuable professional asset.
  • Vanessa Paradis: The French actress and singer proudly sports a prominent gap between her front teeth, often called "teeth of happiness" in France. She has never sought to close it, viewing it as part of her identity.
  • Anna Paquin: The actress is known for her noticeable front teeth gap, which she refuses to alter, considering questions about it intrusive. Her imperfect smile has become a personal trademark.
  • Kirsten Dunst and Keira Knightley: Both actresses have imperfect teeth—Dunst with a snaggle tooth and Knightley with wonky teeth—but have achieved major careers without cosmetic dental work.
  • Jewel: The singer-songwriter’s crooked snaggletooth helped her land a film role requiring authentic period teeth. She has declined cosmetic dental offers, embracing her natural look.
  • Michael Strahan: The former NFL star nearly closed his signature gap but decided against it, citing his children’s influence. The gap remains central to his public image.
  • Madonna: The iconic singer and actress has maintained her gap teeth throughout her career, even adopting a gold tooth grill as a fashion statement rather than a dental correction.

Celebrity Smile Transformations

  • Johnny Depp: Long known for yellowed, decayed teeth with gold caps, Depp underwent a dramatic dental transformation in 2024 involving veneers and crowns, significantly improving his smile.
  • Lindsay Lohan: After years of dental deterioration linked to personal struggles, Lohan revealed a renewed, healthier smile by 2018 following dental restoration.
  • Tom Cruise: Initially known for an off-centre "mono-tooth," Cruise underwent extensive orthodontic and cosmetic dental procedures, achieving a more symmetrical smile.
  • Shane MacGowan: The Pogues frontman endured severe dental decay from substance abuse but received full dental implants in 2015. He passed away in 2023.
  • Hilary Duff: After suffering chipped teeth during her early career, Duff had porcelain veneers fitted, notably managing a veneer mishap on her wedding day with emergency dental care.
  • Charlie Sheen: Known for decayed teeth and a gold cap installed in 2010, Sheen has addressed his dental issues partially but continues to display some imperfections.

These celebrities illustrate a range of attitudes toward dental imperfections—from embracing natural flaws as part of their identity to investing in transformative dental procedures. Their choices challenge conventional beauty standards and encourage acceptance of authentic smiles.