If you’ve watched The Hunger Games or Me Before You more than a healthy amount of times, you likely remember Sam Claflin’s original smile. It was, for lack of a better word, distinct. He had these sharp, slightly asymmetrical canines that gave him this boyish, rugged charm. They were a part of his brand, whether he intended them to be or not.
But then, things changed.
The internet, specifically TikTok and Reddit, recently went into a collective meltdown when new photos of the actor surfaced. The sharp edges were gone. The "fang-like" canines had been replaced by a uniform, blindingly white row of teeth. Basically, the Sam Claflin veneers before and after debate became the new obsession for people who track celebrity cosmetic shifts.
Why Sam Claflin’s Teeth Look Different Now
Honestly, for a long time, Claflin was the poster child for "British teeth" in Hollywood—and I mean that in the best way possible. He didn't have that cookie-cutter, Lego-brick smile. However, fans began noticing a stark shift around the time he was promoting Daisy Jones & The Six.
The transformation wasn't subtle.
His new teeth appear significantly longer and flatter. The characteristic "vampire" canines that defined his Finnick Odair era have been filed down or covered up. In the world of cosmetic dentistry, this is usually a sign of porcelain veneers.
Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They can fix chips, gaps, or discoloration. But they can also completely change the "character" of a mouth. For Claflin, the change moved him away from "uniquely handsome" toward "standard Hollywood leading man."
The Internet’s Reaction: A Polarized Mess
Some people love it. They think he looks more polished, more "A-list."
Others? They’re mourning the canines.
On platforms like r/VindictaRateCelebs, users have been vocal about the "erasure" of dental character. There’s a growing sentiment that Hollywood is becoming a sea of identical smiles. When Sam Claflin joined the veneer club, it felt like a loss to those who appreciated his natural look. It’s a weird thing to be sad about—a stranger’s teeth—but when an actor’s face is their toolkit, every change matters to the audience.
The Technical Side of Sam Claflin Veneers Before and After
If we look at the Sam Claflin veneers before and after from a technical perspective, it’s not just about the color. It’s the "buccal corridor." That’s the dark space you see at the corners of the mouth when someone smiles.
👉 See also: Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez: What Really Happened to the Pandemic's Favorite Couple
- Width: His new smile appears wider. This suggests the veneers were used to build out the arch, filling in those dark corners.
- Length: The central incisors (the two front teeth) are now much more prominent.
- Symmetry: His natural smile had a slight slant. Now, it’s perfectly horizontal.
Critics of the work often point out that the new teeth look a bit "bulky." This usually happens when a dentist opts for "no-prep" or "minimal-prep" veneers. Instead of shaving the natural tooth down significantly, they layer the porcelain on top. It saves the natural tooth structure, but it can make the teeth look slightly too large for the person’s mouth.
Is the "Veneer Trend" Ruining Celebrity Faces?
Sam Claflin isn't alone. Far from it.
Everyone from Miley Cyrus to Zac Efron has undergone similar transformations. The issue isn't the dentistry itself—it’s the lack of customization. Many fans argue that Claflin’s dentist gave him "the standard set" instead of preserving the features that made him stand out.
There’s actually a term for this in the industry: "Veneer Blindness."
It’s when someone gets so used to seeing hyper-white, perfectly straight teeth that they start to think natural teeth look "bad" or "unhealthy." Claflin's natural teeth weren't unhealthy; they were just unique.
What We Can Learn From the Transformation
If you’re looking at Sam Claflin veneers before and after and considering your own dental makeover, there are a few things to keep in mind. You don't have to go for the "blinding white" look.
- Ask for character: Tell your dentist you want to keep your natural quirks, like a slight gap or a specific canine shape.
- Check the shade: Hollywood white (the "OM1" or "BL1" shades) often looks fake in real-world lighting.
- Consider the size: Ensure the teeth aren't too long, or you might end up with a slight lisp or a "horse-like" appearance.
The reality is that Sam Claflin is still a massively talented and handsome guy. Whether or not he has veneers doesn't change his acting ability. But it does serve as a fascinating case study in how modern beauty standards are slowly smoothing out the edges of our most recognizable faces.
If you’re thinking about your own smile journey, start by booking a consultation with a cosmetic dentist who specializes in "natural-look" veneers. Look for portfolios that show variety, not just the same smile on thirty different faces. It's your mouth—make sure it still looks like you.
Next Steps for Your Smile:
- Research "conservative cosmetic dentistry" near you to find doctors who prioritize preserving tooth enamel.
- Bring photos of your own teeth from five years ago to your consultation to show what features you want to keep.
- Ask about "composite bonding" as a less permanent, more adjustable alternative to porcelain veneers.