Let's be real for a second. If you look at photos of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio from 2016 and compare them to a close-up from his most recent tour, something is different. It isn’t just the clothes or the hair. It’s the smile. The bad bunny teeth before and after transformation is one of those things fans notice but don't always understand the "why" or "how" behind.
He had a gap. It was charming, honestly. But now? It’s a wall of perfect, bright white porcelain.
Success changes people. Sometimes it changes their bone structure, or at least the appearance of it. For Bad Bunny, the shift from a local Puerto Rican artist to a global juggernaut meant stepping into a spotlight that reveals every single "imperfection." He’s been surprisingly open about it, too. This wasn't some secret surgery performed in the dark. He’s talked about the physical pain and the necessity of the change, which adds a layer of humanity to the Hollywood veneer.
Why the "Before" mattered to fans
When Bad Bunny first hit the scene with "Soy Peor," he looked like a regular guy from Vega Baja. His teeth weren't perfectly aligned. He had a natural diastema—that’s the medical term for a gap between the front teeth. To a lot of his early supporters, that was part of his "Conejo Malo" persona. It felt authentic. It felt like him.
But here’s the thing about dental health that people forget: it’s not always about looking like a movie star. Sometimes, it’s about survival. Or at least, surviving a four-hour concert without your mouth throbbing.
Benito has mentioned in interviews—specifically a notable one with Residente—that his teeth were actually in pretty bad shape. We aren't just talking about a little crookedness. He had cavities. He had pain. When you’re grinding, literally and figuratively, your health often takes a backseat until you finally have the money to fix it.
The big switch: Veneers and the price of perfection
The bad bunny teeth before and after jump happened relatively quickly once the "X 100pre" era took off. He opted for porcelain veneers.
If you aren't familiar with the process, it’s kind of intense. They shave down your natural teeth. It’s permanent. You can’t just go back to your "before" teeth once the porcelain is bonded. It’s a commitment to a lifetime of maintenance. Most experts, like Dr. Kevin Sands or other high-profile celebrity dentists, point out that while veneers look great, they require a massive amount of upkeep.
He didn't just get them straightened. He got them whitened to a shade that doesn't really exist in nature. BL1 or BL2, most likely.
It wasn't just about vanity
There's a specific quote from a 2020 interview where he talked about how he regretted getting them done so early or so aggressively. He told fans that he wished he had just taken better care of his natural teeth instead of jumping straight to the "veneer life." That’s a rare moment of honesty in an industry where everyone pretends they were born with 20/20 vision and perfect molars.
He felt he had to do it. The pressure of being on camera 24/7 is a different kind of beast.
Imagine seeing your face on a 50-foot screen every night. You'd probably want the best teeth money can buy, too. But the "after" is a stark contrast to the "before" because it removed a bit of that raw, street-level aesthetic that defined his early career.
The technical side of the transformation
Let's get into the weeds. What did he actually have done?
Based on visual analysis by dental professionals who track celebrity smiles, it looks like a full upper arch of veneers. Some speculate he did the lowers too, which is common to ensure the "bite" matches and the color is uniform.
- Veneer Material: Likely high-grade E-max or feldspathic porcelain.
- Shape: He went for a "masculine" cut—square edges, very little rounding on the canines.
- Alignment: They corrected the midline shift that was visible in his 2017 photos.
It’s a "Hollywood Smile" through and through.
One thing people get wrong is thinking he just used braces or Invisalign. No. Braces don't change the size, shape, and luminosity of the teeth like that. The bad bunny teeth before and after results show a complete structural overhaul. His teeth are longer now. The proportions are designed to fill his "buccal corridors"—that's the dark space you see at the corners of the mouth when someone smiles.
The mixed reactions from the Latino community
In Puerto Rico and across Latin America, there was a bit of a debate. Some fans loved the glow-up. They saw it as a symbol of his success—the "American Dream" manifested in a smile. Others felt like he was losing the "Benito" they knew.
It’s a weird thing to be protective over someone else’s incisors.
But teeth are personal. They’re part of how we speak, how we eat, and how we express joy. When he changed them, it felt like a final transition from the grocery bagger at Econo to the King of Latin Trap.
Is there a downside to the "After"?
Veneers aren't forever. They last 10, maybe 15 years if you’re lucky and don't grind your teeth at night. For someone like Bad Bunny, who performs with high energy and likely deals with a lot of stress, the risk of chipping or popping a veneer is real.
He’s already had to have them touched up.
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If you look closely at photos from different years post-2018, you can see slight variations in the gum line. This is the reality of cosmetic dentistry. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The "after" photo everyone sees is a result of thousands of dollars and hours in a dental chair. It’s a professional tool. His smile is as much a part of his brand as his sunglasses or his painted nails.
Real talk for anyone considering the "Bad Bunny" look
If you’re looking at bad bunny teeth before and after and thinking, "I want that," you need to be careful.
Veneers are a major medical decision.
- Cost: A full set like his can run anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the dentist.
- Irreversibility: Once that enamel is gone, it's gone.
- Sensitivity: Many people report lifelong sensitivity to cold and hot after the prep work.
- Maintenance: You still get cavities under veneers if you don't floss.
Benito himself said he’d advise young people to fix their teeth with braces or better hygiene first. That’s a huge takeaway. Even the guy with the "perfect" smile has some regrets about how he got there.
Actionable insights for your own dental journey
Don't just chase a celebrity photo. If you're unhappy with your smile, there's a hierarchy of intervention you should follow before jumping to porcelain.
First, look into professional whitening or composite bonding. Bonding is way less invasive than veneers and can fix a gap (like Benito’s original one) in a single afternoon without shaving down the tooth.
Second, if alignment is the issue, modern clear aligners have come a long way. They take time, but you keep your natural tooth structure.
Third, if you truly need veneers for restorative reasons, find a dentist who prioritizes "biomimetic" dentistry. This means they try to mimic the natural look and function of teeth rather than just giving you a row of white Chiclets. Bad Bunny's teeth look great on stage, but in a coffee shop, they can look a bit "loud."
The evolution of the Bad Bunny smile is a case study in celebrity branding. It’s about the transition from being an outsider to being the ultimate insider. Whether you prefer the "before" or the "after," there’s no denying that his current look is designed for the global stage. It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s undeniably "El Conejo Malo."
Just remember that behind the "after" is a lot of maintenance, a bit of regret, and a very expensive dental bill. Keep your natural enamel as long as you can. It's the only set you've got.
To stay on top of your own dental health while chasing a better smile, start by asking your dentist for a "wax-up" or a digital mock-up before committing to any permanent changes. This lets you see the "after" on your own face without any drilling. It’s the smartest way to ensure you don't end up wishing for your "before" teeth a few years down the road.