Johnny Depp 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.
Johnny Depp's smile has long been a part of his unconventional charm. Over the decades, his teeth and dental appearance have seen significant changes – from a youthful grin with minor imperfections to heavily stained 'pirate' teeth, and most recently to a rejuvenated, pearly-white smile.
First Major Work
Completed over 6-12 months
Likely Procedures
Porcelain veneers, Dental crowns
Notable Features
Dramatic Smile Restoration
U.S. Cost to Emulate
$30,000 - $50,000
Timeline: Johnny Depp's Teeth, Before & After
1993: Chipping Teeth for What's Eating Gilbert Grape
In the mid-'90s, Johnny Depp demonstrated his commitment to character authenticity by altering his actual teeth for a role. For 1993's 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' Depp wanted to embody a small-town young man with a rough life. He based the character's look on a childhood acquaintance with chipped teeth, and to achieve this, Depp had a dentist bond composite onto his teeth and then carve/chip them for a realistically worn smile. 'I remember kids growing up, how their teeth always looked chipped… Gilbert wouldn't have the money to fix them, and he wouldn't have cared,' he explained.
2023: Public Concern over 'Rotting' Teeth at Cannes
Depp's dental issues made international headlines in May 2023 when he appeared at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of 'Jeanne du Barry.' Under the spotlight, his smile shocked many onlookers: the front teeth looked severely discolored, almost black or decayed in areas. Photos from Cannes went viral, and reactions were swift. 'Johnny Depp just looks like someone grabbed his teeth and painted them black,' one person tweeted, with another saying that seeing the image 'ruined my mood.'
Early Career (1980s–1990s): Natural Smile and Proud Imperfections
In the 1980s, Depp emerged as a teen idol on 21 Jump Street, but he often kept his smile closed-lipped in photos despite having a 'big, gleaming smile.' He was reluctant to be just a Hollywood heartthrob and didn't pursue a perfectly straight, bleached grin. By the early 1990s, his teeth were still naturally shaped but not flawless – minor staining and a bit of crowding gave him a 'bad-boy' charm. Depp was unbothered by dental imperfections; in a 1995 Premiere interview he revealed he had 'a root canal done eight years ago that's unfinished… like a rotten little stub,' along with 'loads of cavities,' yet he proudly refused to straighten his bottom teeth.
2003–2007: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Gold Teeth Saga
Depp's most famous on-screen dental transformation came with 2003's 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' To create Captain Jack Sparrow's weathered pirate look, Depp didn't rely on simple props – he visited a dentist and had gold caps (crowns) placed on several of his front teeth. This bold move was initially unsanctioned: Disney's producers were concerned the gold teeth would be too odd for a family film. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer was 'slightly uncomfortable and the Disney executives weren't exactly enthusiastic' about Depp's mouthful of gold.
2010s: Wear, Stains, and Dental Neglect Become Apparent
By the 2010s, Depp's once-boyish smile had noticeably deteriorated. Long-term habits and dental avoidance were taking a toll. Depp has been a heavy smoker since his teens (at one point joking about wanting 'another mouth to smoke more' cigarettes), and he's known to enjoy red wine and strong coffee – all of which can badly stain teeth. Decades of these habits, compounded by what dentists suspect is bruxism (chronic teeth grinding/clenching), led to significant wear and discoloration in his teeth.
2024–2025: Dental Makeover – Veneers, Crowns, and a Brand-New Smile
Within a year of the Cannes controversy, Johnny Depp took decisive action and transformed his smile. In August 2024, a video from a café in the Bahamas surprised fans with Depp cheerfully showing off a full set of pearly whites. The drastic change – from brownish, uneven teeth to a uniform white smile – confirmed that Depp had undergone extensive dental work. 'LOOK, he got his teeth fixed!!!' one excited fan wrote, as others rejoiced that 'the pirate teeth are gone… pearly whites look beautiful.'
Procedures & Evidence (What changed and how)
Expert Analysis
Dr. Michael Apa
Celebrity Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Apa analyzed Depp's Cannes photos and noted that the actor's teeth showed extreme wear and neglect accumulated over a lifetime. Dr. Apa pointed out the combination of long-term factors – from lack of professional care to years of smoking and coffee drinking – that likely led to such advanced staining and erosion. 'He has wear… a cumulative effect over a lifetime,' Apa explained, comparing Depp's case to aggressive aging of teeth. Given how worn-down Depp's teeth were by 2023, Dr. Apa recommended porcelain veneers as the ideal solution: 'I would do veneers because he needs his bite reestablished. He's worn his teeth down so much.'
Dr. Dani B
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Dani B noted that 'it appears that Johnny Depp has undergone an aesthetic and functional rehabilitation using a combination of porcelain veneers and crowns' to correct his worn-down, decayed teeth and restore his bite. Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to provide a new facade (ideal for covering stains and minor damage), while crowns encase the entire tooth and are used when teeth are more severely damaged or structurally compromised.
Health Professionals
Medical Consensus
Beyond aesthetics, health professionals sounded warnings. Poor oral health can lead to systemic issues, and some noted that severe dental decay can increase the risk of infections or even heart problems if bacteria enter the bloodstream. According to an insider source (cited by In Touch Weekly), by 2023 Depp's teeth were 'rotten to the bone and his breath reeked,' and it became clear that it was 'either veneers or risk some serious health problems' if he didn't act.
Procedures Breakdown
Porcelain Veneers
Dental experts believe Depp opted for a comprehensive reconstruction using porcelain veneers and crowns on most of his teeth. Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to provide a new facade (ideal for covering stains and minor damage), while crowns encase the entire tooth and are used when teeth are more severely damaged or structurally compromised. In Depp's case, many teeth were likely too damaged for simple whitening or fillings, so a mix of veneers (for visible front surfaces) and crowns (for heavily decayed or root-canaled teeth) gave him a fresh start.
Dental Crowns
Some dental sources even speculate that a few dental implants might have been placed for any teeth that were beyond saving, though no specific details have been confirmed. The overall goal was not only cosmetic perfection but also to rehabilitate his oral health, eliminating infection and preventing further decay.
Teeth Whitening
Crucially, Depp's new smile still resembles him. Dentists likely designed the shape and alignment of his new teeth to maintain a natural look – avoiding an overly 'plastic' Hollywood grin. His current teeth, while bright, are proportional and similar in shape to his younger days. A source close to Depp noted that he was happy with the outcome, and that after finally fixing his long-neglected teeth, 'he can smile with confidence… His choppers gleam.'
Gum Treatment
The comprehensive dental makeover he underwent in 2024 – likely involving porcelain veneers, crowns, and rigorous treatment of decay – has not only given Depp a brighter, camera-ready smile but also markedly improved his oral health. Where he once said he'd rather swallow a tick than have perfect teeth, Depp now seems content with a healthier compromise: a smile that is clean and well-cared-for yet still true to himself.
Cost & How to Get the Look
Cost Estimate
$30,000 - $50,000
A transformation like this can cost $30,000 - $50,000 in the U.S.
Cost Breakdown
Financing Options
Many patients use CareCredit or similar financing to spread the cost over time.
Example: $30,000 - $50,000 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 6-12 months
Dentist
Cosmetic dentist (undisclosed)
