Cardi B Teeth — Before & After Smile Transformation
Important Medical Information
The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional dental advice. Always consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist before making treatment decisions. Individual results may vary based on your specific dental condition and chosen treatment plan.
Cardi B's smile transformation from her early reality TV days to her current superstar status is one of the most talked-about celebrity smile makeovers. Her journey from a rising social media star with imperfect teeth to a global icon with a 'million-dollar smile' has inspired countless fans and created what dentists call the 'Cardi B effect.'
First Major Work
Completed over 3-6 months
Likely Procedures
Porcelain veneers on front teeth, Professional whitening
Notable Features
Million-Dollar Smile
U.S. Cost to Emulate
$12,500
Timeline: Cardi B's Teeth, Before & After
The Smile Makeover: Reality TV Transformation
After joining LHHNY Season 7 and realizing she'd be in an even bigger spotlight, Cardi decided to 'fix' her teeth. She went to Dr. Catrise Austin in New York for a cosmetic dental makeover, getting a set of porcelain veneers on her front teeth. Her smile transformation was documented on Love & Hip Hop – in fact, the very first episodes of Season 7 feature her dental makeover process. By the time those episodes aired in early 2017, Cardi debuted a dramatically new smile: straighter, gap-free, and gleaming white.
Early Career: Rising Star with Imperfect Teeth
As a rising social media star and cast member on Love & Hip Hop: New York, Cardi B's natural teeth were noticeably imperfect – she had a few crooked, chipped teeth (even a 'snaggletooth' in her lower arch) that drew negative comments from the public. Though she initially brushed off the criticism with her trademark humor, the constant remarks about her smile did affect her confidence. By the time she amassed about 500,000 Instagram followers, various dentists were actually offering to fix her teeth, but she was hesitant then.
Breakthrough Moment: 'Bodak Yellow' Fame
Cardi B's new teeth quickly became part of her brand as her music career exploded. In June 2017 she released 'Bodak Yellow,' the hit single in which she proudly raps, 'Got a bag and fixed my teeth / Hope you hoes know it ain't cheap.' The song went No.1 and brought massive attention to her dental work – fans were suddenly googling her before-and-after photos and asking who her dentist was. Cardi's gleaming post-veneer smile was on full display in the Bodak Yellow music video and during high-profile appearances (such as the MTV VMAs), marking a clear turning point in her image.
Superstardom: Embracing the New Smile
With her career in full swing, Cardi fully embraced her new smile. She even referenced her dental glow-up again on 2018's 'Best Life,' rapping ''Fore I fixed my teeth, man, those comments used to kill me' – a candid admission of how criticisms of her old teeth hurt her. On red carpets and magazine covers, her once-crooked grin was now a camera-ready, Hollywood-worthy beam. In 2018, Cardi landed a role on the BET series Being Mary Jane, where her confident new smile fit right in on screen. By 2019, as she won a Grammy and hit other career milestones, her radiant smile had become something of a signature for her 'glow up.'
Present Day: Maintaining the Million-Dollar Smile
Cardi B has maintained her megawatt smile ever since – no major changes, just routine care. (Porcelain veneers typically last 10+ years with good maintenance, so she's likely still sporting the set she got in 2017.) She remains very open about cosmetic enhancements, including her teeth. For instance, in 2022 she sparked a Twitter debate by suggesting women might invest in a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) before veneers, quipping that 'BBL $6,000–$15,000… GOOD VENEERS $20,000–$50,000' – implying one procedure could fund the other. This tongue-in-cheek advice underscored that even years later, Cardi still acknowledges how life-changing (and costly) her dental transformation was.
Procedures & Evidence (What changed and how)
Expert Analysis
Dr. Catrise Austin
Celebrity Cosmetic Dentist, New York
The mastermind of Cardi B's dental transformation is Dr. Catrise Austin, a celebrity cosmetic dentist based in New York City. After the lyric in 'Bodak Yellow' put a spotlight on Cardi's teeth, it was revealed that Dr. Austin was the provider responsible for her smile upgrade. Dr. Austin has an impressive résumé – she was named one of the 'Top 25 Women in Dentistry' in 2015 and has worked on the smiles of numerous stars (her clientele includes the likes of DJ Khaled, Common, Toni Braxton, Wendy Williams and others).
Dental Professionals
Industry Analysis
Cardi B's smile transformation was achieved primarily through cosmetic dentistry – most notably, a full set of porcelain veneers on her front teeth – rather than orthodontics or surgery. Porcelain veneers are thin custom-made ceramic shells that permanently cover the front surface of the teeth. They are used to instantly correct issues like chips, gaps, minor crookedness, and discoloration. In Cardi's case, veneers provided a quick cosmetic fix to straighten and resize her teeth without the need for braces.
Media and Cultural Analysts
Public Reaction Analysis
Overall, public reaction to Cardi's upgraded smile was very positive. Many fans applauded her for addressing an insecurity and improving herself, often commenting that her confidence 'leveled up' along with her teeth. The press frequently referred to her post-veneer grin as her 'million-dollar smile,' emphasizing how radiant and valuable it seemed. Dentists even dubbed the surge of interest the 'Cardi B effect,' crediting her with normalizing veneers for a younger, more diverse crowd.
Procedures Breakdown
Porcelain Veneers
Cardi B's smile transformation was achieved primarily through cosmetic dentistry – most notably, a full set of porcelain veneers on her front teeth – rather than orthodontics or surgery. Porcelain veneers are thin custom-made ceramic shells that permanently cover the front surface of the teeth. They are used to instantly correct issues like chips, gaps, minor crookedness, and discoloration. In Cardi's case, veneers provided a quick cosmetic fix to straighten and resize her teeth without the need for braces. By placing veneers, her dentist was able to give her a uniform, symmetrical look – closing gaps and smoothing the uneven tooth edges that were visible in her early photos.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening was also part of Cardi B's smile makeover. Dr. Austin routinely includes professional whitening for patients getting veneers (so that any natural teeth not covered by veneers match the bright new shade). In Cardi's case, after placing the veneers on her upper front teeth, the dentist would have whitened the remaining teeth (such as the lower row and molars) to ensure a consistent color. A professional in-office whitening can lighten teeth significantly in one session; Dr. Austin typically charges around $500 for a whitening treatment.
Digital Smile Design
In preparation for veneers, a dentist typically has to shave down a minimal amount of the patient's enamel to make room for each porcelain shell. The veneer pieces are then custom-crafted to fit the patient's mouth and desired shape. Cardi's dentist, Dr. Austin, actually took digital impressions and created a preview of Cardi's 'after' smile before doing the procedure. The entire process was done in a relatively short timeframe (reportedly, Cardi allowed Dr. Austin to film the procedure, likely to be shown on TV or social media).
Comprehensive Smile Analysis
Notably, Cardi did not undergo traditional orthodontic work (braces or Invisalign) or any major gum reshaping as part of her transformation – at least not publicly. Her bite and gumline did not present issues that required orthodontics or gum surgery in the first place; the concerns were primarily the shape, spacing, and color of her teeth. Veneers alone addressed these cosmetic issues. Cardi herself has joked that she skipped straight to veneers because it was a faster route to a perfect smile.
Cost & How to Get the Look
Cost Estimate
$12,500
A transformation like this can cost $12,500 in the U.S.
Cost Breakdown
Financing Options
Many patients use CareCredit or similar financing to spread the cost over time.
Example: $12,500 over 24 months = ~$1,200/month
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Image Credits
Research Sources
This analysis is based on comprehensive research from entertainment publications, dental professional commentary, and public interviews. All dental procedure assertions are grounded in observable changes and expert analysis.
- • Entertainment publications and media reports
- • Professional dental analysis and commentary
- • Public interviews and red carpet appearances
- • Before and after photo analysis
Image Credits
All images are used for editorial purposes. Before and after photos are sourced from public appearances and media coverage. Images are used under fair use for educational and informational purposes.
Timeline
Completed over 3-6 months
Dentist
Dr. Catrise Austin (NYC)
