Miley Cyrus is a useful celebrity smile example because her before photos are often unfair. Many of the images people compare to her adult smile were taken when she was young, during a normal developmental stage when teeth can look awkward while baby teeth are being lost and permanent teeth are coming in.

Dr. Lawnin points this out in the video. A child or young teenager in the mixed dentition phase should not be judged the same way we evaluate an adult smile. Sometimes the old photo is not evidence of 'bad teeth.' It is evidence of being a kid with teeth still erupting.

That said, Miley's adult smile gives patients a great lesson in veneer shade selection. Dr. Lawnin liked many parts of the case, including the tooth positions, central tooth dominance, gum levels, and overall lines. His main critique was that the final shade appears slightly too white.

First, be careful with childhood before photos

The internet loves a dramatic before-and-after. But early celebrity photos often capture people before orthodontics, before full eruption of adult teeth, or during the stage when the smile naturally looks uneven. That does not mean something was wrong. It means development was not finished.

For patients, this matters because dental comparisons should be fair. A responsible smile evaluation looks at the patient's current teeth, goals, facial structure, bite, gum health, and long-term plan. It should not shame someone for how their teeth looked during adolescence.

What works well in Miley Cyrus' smile

In the transcript, Dr. Lawnin mentions several things he likes about Miley's smile. The central tooth dominance is strong, meaning the two front teeth have the right visual importance compared with the smaller lateral incisors and canines. That is one of the reasons the smile reads as balanced rather than flat.

He also notes that the line angles are good. Line angles are the edges and surfaces that control how light reflects off the teeth. When they are designed well, teeth can look slimmer, more dimensional, and more natural.

The buccal corridor, the visible space and tooth display toward the sides of the smile, is also described as nice. Her gum tissue levels and midline are strong as well. Those are all signs of a case that was planned with more than just color in mind.

The one detail that changes everything: shade

The main critique is that the teeth may be a little too white. Not dramatically wrong, not poorly done, but slightly lighter than what Dr. Lawnin would prefer for a natural result.

Shade selection is one of the hardest parts of cosmetic dentistry because patients often think whiter automatically means better. But the best shade is not the brightest one available. It is the shade that looks healthy in the context of the patient's eyes, skin tone, lips, age, and personality.

A smile can be beautifully shaped and well positioned, but if the shade is too bright, that is what people notice first. The teeth stop blending into the face and start becoming the center of attention.

How dentists choose a veneer shade

A thoughtful veneer shade is chosen under multiple lighting conditions and compared with the rest of the face. The whites of the eyes are often a helpful reference point. Teeth can be bright, but when they go far beyond the natural brightness of the eyes, they may begin to look artificial.

This does not mean everyone needs a darker shade. Some patients can carry a very bright smile beautifully. Others look more natural with a softer white. The key is individualization. The shade should support the face, not overpower it.

The patient takeaway

Miley Cyrus' smile teaches that a veneer case can be technically strong and still come down to one aesthetic choice. Shape, midline, gum levels, and tooth position matter. But shade is often what people notice first.

If you are considering veneers, do not choose the whitest option just because it feels like the biggest transformation. Choose the shade that will still look natural years from now.

FAQs

How white should veneers be?

Veneers should be as bright as the patient wants while still fitting the face, eyes, skin tone, and age. The whitest shade is not always the most natural shade.

What is central tooth dominance?

Central tooth dominance means the two front teeth have the right visual prominence in the smile. It helps the smile look balanced and natural.

Can veneer color be changed later?

Veneer color cannot be whitened like natural enamel. If the shade is wrong, replacement may be required, which is why shade selection before treatment is so important.

Considering veneers, whitening, Invisalign, or a smile makeover? Schedule a consultation at Tanglewood Dental Associates to learn which options fit your face, your goals, and your long-term oral health.