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.
Selena Gomez has been in the spotlight from her Disney Channel days through her current status as a global star, and her smile has evolved significantly along the way. This report provides a detailed timeline of Selena's teeth and smile transformation – from early natural charm to a polished Hollywood smile – and includes expert commentary from credible dental professionals on the changes.
Completed over 12+ years (2007-2019)
Orthodontic braces (teenage years), Second round of braces (2017-2018)
Disney Star to Hollywood Smile
$20,000 - $35,000






Selena Gomez's smile transformation reached a dramatic turning point around 2019, when she debuted an ultra-polished, red-carpet-ready grin that set off a wave of speculation. Observers noted that her teeth suddenly changed in shape, color, and position, appearing flawlessly straight and much whiter than before. In other words, she emerged with the kind of 'perfect' smile often seen on Hollywood's A-list. Cosmetic dentists and fans online began to speculate that Selena had gotten porcelain veneers at this time to achieve such a uniform and sparkling smile. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of teeth to alter their shape, size, and color – and Selena's teeth in 2019 had the telltale hallmarks of this procedure. Her front teeth looked more uniform in length and shape than in the past, and the entire visible set was a consistently bright shade of white.
Selena Gomez's early public appearances (circa 2007–2010) showcased a naturally pretty smile that fans found endearing. During her Disney Channel era (e.g. Wizards of Waverly Place), her teeth were not perfectly aligned – observers noted slight crowding and that her upper front teeth protruded a bit. The color of her teeth in this period was a normal, healthy off-white shade, typical of a teen with good dental care but no cosmetic whitening. Like many teenagers, Selena wore braces in her youth to correct misalignment and crowding, which helped straighten her smile before she fully entered the limelight. By the end of her Disney era, her teeth appeared more aligned thanks to this early orthodontic intervention, yet her smile still retained a natural shape and proportion.
As Selena transitioned into her twenties (2011–2015), her smile remained bright and healthy with only subtle enhancements. There were no drastic changes during these years, suggesting she focused on maintenance and possibly minor cosmetic improvements. By the mid-2010s, Selena's teeth looked slightly whiter and more polished, which could be attributed to professional whitening treatments or meticulous oral hygiene. No major dental work was obvious at this stage – her teeth still looked natural in shape and size, and she did not exhibit the ultra-uniform look that would come later. Any enhancements (such as whitening or small bonding touch-ups) were subtle enough to keep her smile's genuine character intact. Selena's grin during this period was often described as authentic and charismatic, reflecting confidence in her natural appearance.
In the late 2010s, Selena surprised fans by apparently revisiting orthodontics for further smile perfection. Reports in 2017 indicated that Selena was seen sporting braces again, showing she wasn't afraid to improve her smile at this stage of her adult life. This brief 'braces era' garnered attention because it's somewhat unusual to see a pop star with metal braces in her mid-20s. However, it underlined Selena's relatability and commitment to her dental health – she famously appeared confident even with brackets on her teeth, inspiring many fans who were undergoing orthodontic treatment themselves. By 2018, the results of this orthodontic touch-up were evident: her teeth appeared noticeably straighter and more evenly spaced. Any minor overlaps or rotations that persisted from her teen years had been largely corrected, giving her a more refined yet still 'real' smile.
Through the early 2020s, Selena Gomez has maintained the dental glow-up achieved in 2019, solidifying her status as a smile icon. Her appearances in 2020, 2021, and beyond show her teeth consistently pearly white, perfectly straight, and symmetrical – essentially unchanged from the initial veneer reveal, which suggests she has kept up with any maintenance (such as regular whitening or polishing of the veneers) to preserve that look. Cosmetic veneers typically require care to keep them looking their best, and Selena's smile in recent years indicates she continues to prioritize dental health and aesthetics. By 2022 and 2023, observers described her smile as 'flawless' and 'ultra-polished', noting that it has become one of her signature features on the red carpet.
Dr. Sara Hahn
Cosmetic Dentist, Harvard-trained
In The Washington Post, Dr. Hahn dissected Selena's smile change in detail, confirming that around 2019 Selena's teeth 'appeared to change shape, color and position' and became 'whiter than ever, aligned in a ramrod-straight row'. Hahn's expert analysis strongly suggests Selena got veneers at that point, as 'in 2019, it looks like she got veneers'. She pointed out technical nuances: Selena's veneers are all 'exactly the same length', whereas a natural youthful smile would have slight length variation (with the front two teeth a bit longer).
Dr. Jordan Davis
Cosmetic Dentist & TikTok creator
Dr. Davis analyzed Selena's smile in one of his popular TikTok videos, and agreed that the evidence points to veneers. He commented that Selena's 'original smile and her natural teeth [were] much better' in terms of character, but noted the new smile is unmistakably the result of cosmetic enhancement. In a Betches interview, Dr. Davis said he's 'pretty sure [Selena] had veneers done,' though he cautioned it's impossible to be 100% certain from photos alone.
Selena did undergo orthodontic treatment as a child/teen – sources note she had braces to correct a slight protrusion and crowding before or during her early Disney days. This early use of braces helped give her a straighter starting point as her career took off.
There was also a rumor of braces in 2017, which Selena was briefly seen with. While not officially confirmed by Selena, multiple reports from fans and observers claim she had braces on again in adulthood, possibly to address minor shifts in tooth alignment.
All evidence points to porcelain veneers being the key procedure behind Selena's smile makeover. Experts believe she received veneers on her top front teeth (and possibly some lower teeth) around 2019. This would involve minimal shaving of the natural teeth and placing custom-crafted porcelain shells to create a uniform look. Selena's veneers are thought to number about 8–10 on the upper row – enough to cover her full smile zone – which is typical for a Hollywood smile redesign.
Throughout her career, Selena likely had periodic whitening treatments. Even before the big changes in 2019, her teeth had a healthy white appearance on camera, which may have been maintained by professional whitening or good at-home care. After getting veneers, whitening would mostly apply to any natural teeth still visible and to maintain an even shade.
Cosmetic veneers typically require care to keep them looking their best, and Selena's smile in recent years indicates she continues to prioritize dental health and aesthetics. Photos from her 2020s appearances show her teeth consistently stain-free and bright, indicating she keeps up with dental cleanings and whitening as needed.
$20,000 - $35,000
A transformation like this can cost $20,000 - $35,000 in the U.S.
Many patients use CareCredit or similar financing to spread the cost over time.
Example: $20,000 - $35,000 over 24 months = ~$1,200/month
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.
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 12+ years (2007-2019)
Dentist
Multiple cosmetic dentists
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified dental professional before making decisions about cosmetic dental procedures. Individual results may vary. This website is reviewed by licensed dental professionals to ensure accuracy.