Miley Cyrus’s smile has been trending again, and this time the conversation is about what she may have taken away, not added. Social media has been buzzing with before-and-after comparisons and the question “did Miley Cyrus remove her veneers?” is currently one of the fastest-rising dental searches online. It’s a fair question, and it opens up a genuinely useful conversation about what veneers actually are, whether they can come off, and what the whole process looks like from a patient’s perspective.
So we put together the questions people are actually asking, and we answered them straight.
Did Miley Cyrus actually remove her veneers?
No confirmed statement from her dental team exists, so we won’t speculate about her specific treatment. What we can say, based on widely circulated photos and public discussion, is that her current smile appears noticeably different from the brighter, more uniform look she had during her earlier career years. Observers have noted that her teeth now look somewhat smaller, less opaque, and more natural in shape.
That pattern is consistent with one of two things: either veneers were removed (and possibly replaced with thinner or no restorations), or the underlying tooth structure is now more visible than before. We’ll explain both scenarios below. What we won’t do is invent a diagnosis for a real person’s dental work. That’s not how we operate, and it’s not helpful to you.
What is helpful: using her situation as a way to explain what removal actually involves, because that’s clearly what people want to understand.
Can veneers actually be removed?
Yes, but with an important catch: traditional porcelain veneers are considered a permanent or semi-permanent restoration. Here’s why.
To bond a veneer to your tooth, your dentist needs to remove a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface, usually somewhere between 0.3 and 0.7 millimeters. That enamel does not grow back. Once it’s gone, your tooth needs some form of coverage, whether that’s a new veneer, a crown, dental bonding, or another restoration.
So “removing veneers” doesn’t mean going back to your original teeth. It means choosing a different restoration (or, in some cases, wearing teeth that feel more sensitive and look slightly different without any covering at all). The veneer itself can be taken off. The enamel preparation underneath cannot be undone.
According to the American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy resource on veneers, patients should understand that veneers are typically a lifelong commitment before moving forward.
What happens to your teeth when veneers come off?
It depends heavily on how much enamel was removed during the original preparation.
If the veneers were thin and minimal prep was done, the underlying tooth may look fairly natural and feel manageable. Some people in this situation choose dental bonding or ultra-thin “prepless” veneers as the next step.
If significant enamel was removed (which was more common with older veneer techniques), the exposed tooth can be:
- More sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods
- Slightly translucent or darker in appearance
- More vulnerable to staining and wear
- At higher risk for chips or fractures without a protective covering
This is why our dental team at Vaksman Dental Group always walks patients through the permanence conversation before any veneer work begins. The goal isn’t to scare anyone off from veneers, which are genuinely beautiful and transformative when done right. The goal is to make sure patients understand that the commitment runs in both directions.
Are there veneers that can be removed without damaging your teeth?
Yes. These are called no-prep or prepless veneers, and they’re designed specifically for patients who want a reversible option. Because little or no enamel is removed during placement, the veneer can theoretically come off and leave the original tooth intact.
The tradeoff is that prepless veneers are not right for everyone. They tend to work best when:
- Your teeth are already well-shaped and proportioned
- You’re correcting minor discoloration, small gaps, or slight irregularities
- You don’t need a dramatic size or shape change
If prepless veneers are placed over teeth that actually needed preparation, they can look bulky or feel thick. A skilled cosmetic dentist will tell you honestly whether you’re a candidate. Our team covers this in detail on our dental veneers service page, including what the evaluation process looks like.
Why would someone choose to remove their veneers?
There are several legitimate reasons, and none of them are unusual:
The veneers are old and failing. Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 20 years with good care. After that, they may chip, stain, or lift at the margins. Removal and replacement is a normal part of the restoration lifecycle.
The person wants a different look. Tastes change. The ultra-white, ultra-uniform Hollywood veneer aesthetic that dominated the early 2000s feels dated to many people now. Some patients (and some celebrities) are actively choosing a more natural-looking smile, which may mean replacing older veneers with thinner, more translucent ones.
There’s a clinical problem underneath. If decay develops under a veneer, or if a tooth develops a crack, the veneer may need to come off so the underlying tooth can be treated. This is one reason regular exams matter even when your smile looks great on the surface.
They were placed incorrectly. Not all cosmetic dental work is equal. Veneers that were too thick, poorly bonded, or placed without adequate enamel prep can cause bite problems, gum irritation, or simply look wrong over time. Removal and redo is sometimes the right clinical decision.
Does removing veneers hurt?
The removal process itself is usually done under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Your dentist uses specialized tools to carefully separate the veneer from the tooth without damaging the underlying structure.
After removal, if there’s exposed dentin (the layer beneath enamel), you may experience some temporary sensitivity. This typically settles once a new restoration is placed. If the tooth is left uncovered for any length of time, sensitivity can be more pronounced, which is another reason why having a clear plan for what comes next before removal begins is so important.
Recovery is generally straightforward, especially compared to more involved procedures. Most patients are back to normal eating and daily life within a day or two.
What’s the real lesson here for someone thinking about veneers?
Miley Cyrus trending for veneer removal is, in a way, the mirror image of why people originally search celebrity smiles. We look at stars who transformed their teeth and think “I want that.” Now some of us are watching the same people walk it back and asking what that means.
Here’s the durable takeaway: the most important decision in cosmetic dentistry isn’t which shade of white to choose. It’s choosing the right procedure for your actual teeth, your face, and the long-term commitment you’re ready to make.
Veneers, done well, for the right patient, are genuinely excellent. They’re not a trend that ages badly. But “done well for the right patient” is doing a lot of work in that sentence. It means a thorough consultation, honest conversation about prep vs. no-prep, realistic expectations about longevity, and a dentist who isn’t just telling you yes because you came in excited.
Our dentists at Vaksman Dental Group approach cosmetic dentistry in South San Francisco exactly that way. If veneers are the right choice, we’ll walk you through every step. If dental bonding, whitening, or a different option fits your goals better, we’ll tell you that instead. The goal is a smile that works for you for decades, not just for the next few Instagram posts.
If you’ve been thinking about veneers and want to understand your specific options, a consultation is the right first step. No pressure, no commitment, just a real conversation.
Written by the Vaksman Dental Group team and medically reviewed by Dr. Irena Vaksman, DDS — South San Francisco. Last reviewed October 2026.