Tom Cruise is one of the most famous and recognizable celebrities in the world. He has starred in countless major blockbuster films over the past few decades. However, in recent years, fans and critics have noticed that Cruise’s smile looks different than it once did, leading many to speculate that he may have gotten dental work done to fix or enhance his teeth.
What Did Tom Cruise’s Teeth Used To Look Like?
For much of his early career, Tom Cruise was known for having slightly uneven teeth. His front teeth had a noticeable gap between them and his upper teeth overlapped the bottom layer slightly. This gave Cruise somewhat of an imperfect, boyish grin. However, many fans found this imperfection endearing and almost charming on the young actor.
As Cruise’s fame grew exponentially thanks to starring roles in huge 1980s and 90s hits like Risky Business, Top Gun, Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, and the Mission Impossible franchise, his distinctive smile became part of his trademark look. Cruise was considered one of the biggest heartthrobs in Hollywood at the time, and his crooked smile only added to his appeal.
When Did People First Notice a Change?
In 2002, Tom Cruise starred in the Steven Spielberg sci-fi blockbuster Minority Report. This is when fans really started to take notice that something looked different about Cruise’s teeth. His trademark gap had closed and his teeth looked straighter and more even. The changes were subtle, but noticeable to fans who were used to Cruise’s unique smile.
However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the questions about possible dental work really kicked into high gear. That year, Cruise appeared in War of the Worlds and was constantly photographed on the red carpet, flashing a megawatt grin. His teeth looked perfectly straight, dazzlingly white, and evenly sized and shaped. The days of Crooked Cruise were gone.
What Procedures May Cruise Have Had Done?
According to cosmetic dentists, there are a few procedures Tom Cruise likely had done to transform his smile:
- Porcelain veneers – Thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of teeth. Used to reshape, even out, whiten, and straighten teeth.
- Teeth whitening – Bleaching gels or laser treatment to brighten and remove stains from teeth.
- Orthodontics – Braces or clear aligners to straighten teeth over time.
- Dental bonding – Tooth-colored resin material used to fill gaps and cover imperfections.
Experts agree that Cruise most likely got porcelain veneers to achieve his perfect Hollywood smile. Veneers can fix spacing, overlapping, discoloration, and chipped teeth in just a couple dental visits. However, orthodontics and whitening were likely done first to get his teeth looking their best before veneers were applied.
What Has Cruise Said About His New Smile?
Tom Cruise has never directly addressed or confirmed getting any cosmetic dentistry procedures. He is known for being relatively private about his personal life. However, Cruise has been asked about the apparent transformation in various interviews over the years. His response is usually along the lines of having had some minor and gradual dental work done, but nothing major.
In a 2002 interview with Playboy magazine shortly after the debut of his new smile, Cruise simply said: “I’ve never had braces or anything. Just a retainer when I was a kid.” As for whitening, he said “I brush, I floss, I use mouthwash…that’s about it.”
Cruise gave a similar response in a 2005 interview with Allure, saying “I’ve never had braces or anything. I’ve had a retainer since I was a kid.” So while not directly denying having veneers or more intensive procedures, Cruise has avoided going into detail about the transformation of his mouth over the years.
Do Celebrities Often Get Cosmetic Dentistry?
It is extremely common for celebrities to undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures like Tom Cruise did. Perfect smiles are part of the Hollywood image. Some other famous examples include:
- George Clooney – Had porcelain veneers applied in the late 1990s to fix chipped teeth from an accident.
- Catherine Zeta-Jones – Reportedly had a full mouth reconstruction including veneers.
- Tom Hardy – Got veneers early in his career to transform his smile.
- Hilary Duff – Had braces as a teen then enhanced her smile with veneers.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Completely transformed his smile with orthodontics and veneers.
The pressure and standards of Hollywood put an emphasis on perfect, dazzling smiles. So it’s little wonder that most celebrities opt to have cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, whitening treatments, or orthodontics to improve their teeth. A great smile projects confidence and likability on camera.
How Else Has Cruise’s Look Evolved?
Beyond Cruise’s smile makeover, fans have noticed some other subtle changes in his appearance over the decades:
- Hair Transplants – Cruise has shown signs of hair loss and thinning in his 30s and 40s. But in recent years, his hairline appears fuller, indicating possible transplants.
- Improved Skin – With age, Cruise’s skin still appears smooth and line-free, likely thanks to laser treatments and cosmetic surgery procedures.
- Enhanced Physique – Cruise has maintained a trim, fit figure even in his 50s. His chiseled abs and arms are likely the result of diet, exercise and plastic surgery like liposuction.
While Cruise has aged very gracefully overall, these enhancements and anti-aging treatments have surely helped him retain his status as a Hollywood heartthrob even as he enters his 60s.
How Much Do Procedures Like Cruise’s Cost?
While the exact details of Cruise’s dental work aren’t known, we can estimate that procedures like those he had done typically cost:
| Procedure | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Porcelain Veneers (per tooth) | $925 – $2,500 |
| Teeth Whitening | $500 – $1,000 |
| Orthodontics (braces) | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Dental Bonding (per tooth) | $100 – $600 |
However, with his Hollywood budget, Cruise likely paid top dollars for the very best cosmetic dentists in the business. The total smile makeover could have run into the tens of thousands or higher. But for Cruise, the payoff of a perfect, movie-star smile has been well worth the investment over the long run.
Does He Have the Best Smile in Hollywood?
Tom Cruise’s smile makeover has certainly catapulted him into the “best smile” conversation in Hollywood. Some celebrity men also known for their perfect grins include:
- George Clooney
- Brad Pitt
- Jimmy Fallon
- Zac Efron
- Ryan Gosling
- Patrick Dempsey
But while Cruise’s smile is now flawless and dazzling, it does arguably lack some of the natural charm and uniqueness it had before dental work. Still, overall, cosmetic dentistry has ensured Cruise is always camera-ready with a gorgeous, envy-worthy smile.
Conclusion
Though Tom Cruise has never directly confirmed getting major dental procedures, the evolution of his smile over the decades provides strong evidence that he has indeed had treatment to perfect his teeth. The subtle unevenness of his younger years has been replaced with pristine uniformity thanks to some combination of veneers, whitening, orthodontics and other cosmetic dentistry.
This smile transformation is extremely common among Hollywood stars who are under constant scrutiny. While Cruise’s original imperfect smile was endearing in his early films, the pressures of staying camera-ready as he aged necessitated cosmetic improvements. The result is one of the most gorgeous, dazzling grins in the entertainment business today.
So while the exact details may remain somewhat private, all signs point to Tom Cruise having invested in professional dental help to give him the cover-worthy smile he displays on red carpets today.
