The rise of TikTok Teeth: Are veneers and a perfect smile the new beauty filter?

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus — the former still can’t figure out how to put the toilet seat down, and the latter, unfortunately, are left to pick up the slack. They also differ, interestingly, in their teeth: men tend to have broader, squarer crowns, while women’s are often softer and more delicate, at least until TikTok convinces you otherwise. 

According to Dr. Justin Giam, dentist and clinical director of Dental Designs Clinic, a great smile isn’t bound by gender. “Some patients want a more youthful, softer look, while others prefer something bold or striking,” he says. “And you’d be surprised how much the tiniest change in shape or edge contour can affect the character of the whole smile.”

So why, then, do some people walk around with piano keys for teeth, glow in the dark when they smile, and inspire endless internet threads dissecting celebrities’ questionable veneers? The answer, surprisingly, has little bite. It usually comes down to one-size-fits-all veneers or an overzealous attempt to chase a celebrity’s smile. 

“The best veneers are the ones that mimic nature. It’s all in the subtle details,” says Dr. Giam, adding that “real teeth aren’t flat or perfectly white. They have depth, slight imperfections, and texture.” 

In fact, veneers shouldn’t even look Clorox-bleach white. A slight tint of yellow is often necessary to blend naturally with the rest, the opposite of the Spice Girls, where everyone had their own distinct tone and did their own thing. And according to Dr Giam, the best dentists take a face-first approach — studying everything from how your lips move at rest and in conversation, to your smile line, facial proportions, and even the way your eyes shift mid-sentence — before ever touching a tooth. 

“Personally, we use data from natural teeth to design the veneers and to replicate natural grooves and contours,” he adds. These are mock-ups, not mouthfuls: a few side-by-side digital previews let patients figure out what feels right.

Is a better smile just the start?

Unsurprisingly, good veneers offer both psychological and physiological benefits, whether or not you’re living under the all-seeing gaze of social media. Imagine smiling more freely, speaking more confidently, and even moving through the world a little differently. But veneers aren’t meant to be social status symbols either.

“Veneers help protect worn teeth and close gaps that trap food,” says Dr Giam, who has seen patients chew more effectively and enunciate words more clearly after treatment. He even points out that studies have shown that while veneers are primarily a cosmetic solution, they can help reinforce weakened tooth structure, “particularly in teeth worn down over time”, by acting as a protective layer over the front surface and potentially preventing further damage. 

What are minimal-prep veneers?

Veneers were first invented not for dental care, but for the silver screen. In 1928, as Hollywood started zooming in on the actors’ mouths as they could finally speak in films, a dentist named Charles Pincus was brought onto with one simple, but temporary solution: thin covers to perfect a star’s smile under the glare of the spotlight. In 2025, they have evolved into minimal-prep veneers, also known as no-prep veneers. Thin, custom shells bonded to the front of the teeth, they demand less drilling, less trauma, and very rarely any at all. A small mercy in the world of cosmetic upgrades. 

Dr Giam points out that preserving the natural tooth structure is ideal as it’s better for long-term dental health, and in some cases, even reversible. But there’s a catch: on teeth that are large, darkly stained, or badly misaligned, the veneers can end up looking bulky or sitting awkwardly along the gum line. While this is proof that not every smile is a perfect fit right out of the box,  is also proves that how they’re made matters just as much as how they look.

“Dentists should work closely with ceramists to handcraft each veneer,” says Dr Giam, whose clinic even keeps the process in-house for better control and fewer surprises. The crown jewel of veneer work, and the method used at Dental Designs Clinic, is to mill them from a single block of ceramic, prized for its strength and resistance to microcracks. Another approach: pressing ceramic under high heat and pressure to create thin, durable veneers that fit like they were always there.

A good craftsman, according to Dr Giam, should also “layer the ceramic the same way natural enamel forms, so when light hits, it reflects and refracts just like a real tooth, revealing even the slightest gradations in shade.” The result? “A veneer that looks three-dimensional, not like a monolithic slab of porcelain”.

Lastly, remember to ask if a clinic has something called a smile trial, essentially a mock-up that lets patients “test drive” their new smile before the final veneers are made. Think of it as test-driving a new smile minus the buyer’s remorse.

How much will a set of veneers cost you?

At Dental Designs Clinic, porcelain veneers range from $2,180 to $2,398 per tooth, with two finish options at the same price of $457.80 (prices include GST): the pressed veneer, forged from a single block of ceramic under high heat and pressure for strength and durability, and the layered veneer, hand-built from ultra-thin porcelain strata to mirror the translucency and surface detail of a natural tooth. For those going the composite route, expect to pay between $457.80 and $1,258.95 per tooth. In context, and according to Maybank, the average cost ranges from $500 - $3,000 per tooth.

What good are veneers without good teeth?

Veneers, in other words, aren’t a cure-all. “We’ve had to say no—or at least, not yet,” says Dr Giam, noting that good candidates need more than enthusiasm or a photo gallery of celebrity references; they need healthy teeth and gums to work with. Uncontrolled gum disease, active decay, or outlandish expectations still rule some people out.

For those who don’t drift too far out of alignment, maintenance matters just as much. “Most people brush way too hard, thinking it’ll make their teeth cleaner, but it actually damages the enamel and gums,” says Dr Giam. “Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush gently, and don’t forget to floss. And if you’ve invested in veneers, wear a night guard to protect them while you sleep. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference.”

A better smile may be only a few millimetres thick, but as it turns out, a little restraint goes a long way.