Feeling self-conscious about braces is a common experience. You are in good company. Many stars, including actors, musicians, and royalty, have completed the same journey. They prove orthodontic treatment is a positive step toward a lifetime of confidence. This is more than a list of pictures. As expert orthodontists in Washington, DC, and Stafford, VA, we at Kumra Orthodontics offer an inside look at these smile transformations. Led by Dr. Bob Kumra and Dr. Mina Abdolahi, we will explore why these celebrities needed treatment, their journey, and the results they achieved. We will show you how those Hollywood smiles were made.
Dr. Kumra Reacts: Celebrity Smile Transformations
Before you explore the detailed case studies below, watch Dr. Kumra’s real-time analysis of these famous smile makeovers. See an expert’s take on what it takes to create a red-carpet-ready smile.
The Modern A-List: How Today’s Stars Perfect Their Smiles
When current stars embrace orthodontic treatment, it reminds teens and young adults perfecting your smile is a normal part of life. Modern options like Invisalign® and other discreet braces make the journey simpler and more relatable.
Zendaya’s Braces: From Disney Star to Style Icon
Zendaya’s smile has become as iconic as her fashion sense. As a teenager, she used Invisalign clear aligners to make minor refinements. Her journey was not about fixing major issues but about perfecting her smile for the camera, proving orthodontic treatment is for fine-tuning, not only total overhauls.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “Based on early photos, Zendaya likely had minor crowding. Her treatment resulted in a broad and symmetrical smile arch. This is a common concern we address for teens. Achieving a balanced, confident smile like hers is often possible with discreet options like Invisalign Teen.”
Source: Orthodontics Australia
Justin Bieber’s Invisalign Journey
As one of the earliest and most public adopters of Invisalign, Justin Bieber showed the world you do not have to press pause on your life for orthodontic work. During his rise to fame, he openly shared his experience with clear aligners on YouTube. He showed his fans straightening your teeth could be done discreetly without the aesthetic impact of traditional braces.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “Justin Bieber was a great example of an early adopter of Invisalign. This was an excellent choice for a performer, allowing him to undergo treatment with minimal aesthetic impact while still achieving a fantastic result.
Source: Orthodontics Australia
The Jenner Smile: Kendall and Kylie
The Jenner sisters are known for perfecting their look, and their smiles are no exception. Kendall Jenner had traditional braces as a young teen and later used Invisalign to refine her smile for her modeling career. This is a common scenario we see in our practice. Sometimes, a second phase of treatment is needed to achieve the final finish.
Kylie Jenner followed a similar path, starting with braces before also opting for cosmetic enhancements.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “Kendall’s experience highlights a crucial point: orthodontic results require retention. Her need for a second round of treatment with Invisalign likely came from teeth shifting after her first set of braces. We stress the importance of wearing your retainer. It is the only way to protect your investment and maintain your result long-term.”
It’s Never Too Late: Adult Celebrities Who Chose Braces
One of the biggest fears we hear from adults is, “Am I too old for braces?” The answer is always no. Investing in your smile at any age is an investment in your personal and professional confidence. These stars prove it’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted.
Tom Cruise’s Red Carpet Braces
Tom Cruise is perhaps the most famous example of an adult embracing orthodontic treatment. At the height of his career, around age 40, he proudly walked the red carpet with ceramic braces. His goal was to correct alignment issues and a noticeable midline discrepancy he had for years.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “Tom Cruise opted for ceramic braces, which are less noticeable than metal. His primary issue appears to have been alignment and a midline discrepancy. This is a condition where the center of the top teeth does not align with the center of the face. While his treatment provided significant improvement, a slight asymmetry remains. This shows perfection is subjective and the goal is a healthy, functional smile. We guide many of our adult patients through this journey.”
Gwen Stefani: Braces as a Fashion Statement
In 1999, Gwen Stefani made waves by getting traditional metal braces at 30. She famously said, “I always wanted braces,” and decided to get them as a fashion statement. While she had fun with it, the treatment also served a real purpose, correcting the crooked teeth she wanted to fix since she was a kid.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “While Gwen famously said she got them as a fashion choice, her treatment corrected crowding and alignment issues. It is a great example of an adult taking control of their smile health and aesthetics. Her story helps break the stigma braces are for kids and re-frames the decision as a valid choice for health and confidence.”
Faith Hill & The Importance of Retainers
Country superstar Faith Hill is a cautionary tale for anyone who has had braces. After wearing them as a child, she neglected her retainer, and her teeth shifted back over time. At the 2013 Grammy Awards, she reappeared with braces at age 45, explaining she was fixing the relapse.
Dr. Kumra’s Expert Take: “Faith Hill’s story is one we see often. Orthodontic treatment is a two-phase process: the active movement phase (braces/Invisalign) and the passive retention phase (retainers). Failing to wear a retainer will almost always lead to relapse, or teeth shifting back. Her experience is the perfect reminder follow-up care is essential.”
Decoding the Treatment: What Kind of Braces Do Celebrities Get?
Celebrities have access to the same orthodontic technology as you do. Their choice often depends on their specific dental needs, career demands, and personal preference for discretion.
Lingual Braces (The “Secret” Braces)
Examples: Miley Cyrus, Kate Middleton
Lingual braces are a secret weapon. The brackets and wires are placed on the back (tongue-side) of the teeth, making them completely invisible from the front. Miley Cyrus used them during her Hannah Montana days to straighten her teeth without anyone knowing. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, also reportedly used lingual braces for a smile refinement before her royal wedding.
Invisalign & Clear Aligners (The “Invisible” Option)
Examples: Justin Bieber, Zendaya, Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey
The most popular choice for those in the public eye, clear aligners like Invisalign® use a series of removable, transparent trays to gradually move teeth. Their near-invisibility and the ability to remove them for eating and events make them a go-to for celebrities who need flexibility and discretion.
Ceramic Braces (The Discreet Option)
Example: Tom Cruise
Ceramic braces work like traditional metal braces. They use clear or tooth-colored brackets which blend with your teeth. They are a good compromise for patients who need the function of fixed braces with a less noticeable look. Tom Cruise’s treatment shows how effective and low-profile they are.
Traditional Metal Braces (The Gold Standard)
Examples: Gwen Stefani, Prince Harry, Emma Watson, Angelina Jolie
Durable, effective, and time-tested, traditional metal braces fix even the most complex orthodontic issues. Many stars, from royals like Prince Harry to A-listers like Emma Watson and Angelina Jolie, had traditional braces during their teen years to create the foundation for their future smiles.
Your Red-Carpet Smile Awaits
These transformations show orthodontic treatment is a worthwhile investment in yourself at any age or profession. The advanced technology and expert care used for these celebrity smiles are available at Kumra Orthodontics.
You do not have to be a celebrity to deserve a smile which gives you confidence.
Our team creates personalized plans for Invisalign or modern braces to fit your goals and lifestyle.
Your journey starts with a conversation. We will show you what is possible.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation
Visit us in Washington, DC, or Stafford, VA, to start your smile transformation.
