Matt Rife has become one of those names you can’t escape if you spend more than five minutes on TikTok. He’s famous for his lightning-fast crowd work, his polarizing Netflix specials, and, let’s be honest, a face that looks like it was chiseled out of a block of marble by a very talented (and expensive) artist. But before the viral clips and the sold-out world tours, Matt looked like a completely different person. If you scroll back far enough on his Instagram or find clips from his early Wild 'N Out days, you’ll notice the most striking change isn't just the jawline—it's the smile.
The matt rife teeth before and after transformation is one of the few things the comedian actually admits to. While he’s spent years fighting off rumors about jaw implants, cheek fillers, and Botox, he’s been remarkably open about the fact that his original teeth were, in his own words, "f***ed."
The "Ohio Teeth" Era
Before the glow-up, Matt had what he affectionately calls "Ohio teeth."
Growing up in Columbus, he wasn't born with the perfect Hollywood grin. His natural teeth had noticeable gaps, particularly a large one right in the center. They were smaller, slightly uneven, and had a natural off-white or yellowish tint that most regular humans have. He’s joked in interviews—specifically on podcasts like Bertcast and Off the Vine—that his mouth looked like a "busted picket fence."
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It wasn't just a cosmetic thing for him; it was a massive source of insecurity. Imagine being a teenager trying to break into stand-up comedy, a job where everyone is literally staring at your face, while feeling like you can't even smile. He’s mentioned that for a long time, he wouldn't laugh along with the audience because he didn't want them to see his teeth. That kind of self-consciousness is brutal when your entire career depends on being "on" and expressive.
The Transformation: Porcelain Veneers
Everything changed around 2018. Matt had been touring with the late comedian Ralphie May, and he finally saved up enough money to do something about his smile. He didn't just go to any dentist; he went to Dr. Kourosh Madahi in Beverly Hills.
If you're looking for the technical breakdown of the matt rife teeth before and after change, here it is:
- Procedure: Porcelain Veneers.
- Quantity: He had veneers placed on his top eight front teeth.
- The Change: The veneers instantly closed the gaps, lengthened the teeth to match his facial proportions, and provided a permanent, brilliant white shade.
Veneers are basically thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front of the natural teeth. Unlike whitening, they don't fade, and unlike braces, they fix the shape and size of the tooth, not just the position. For Matt, this was the "life-changer." He went from a guy who hid his smile to a guy whose smile is now a central part of his "heartthrob" brand.
Why people think it was more than just teeth
This is where the internet gets messy. When Matt’s teeth changed, his whole face seemed to follow. Suddenly, he had a jawline that could cut glass and cheekbones that looked like they belonged on a runway.
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Critics and "internet doctors" often point to his dental work as the "gateway" to other procedures. There’s a theory that a new set of veneers can actually change your bite and the way your jaw sits, which might explain some of the definition. Matt, however, has a different explanation. He swears it was just "late-onset puberty" hitting him at age 23, combined with heavy sessions at the gym.
"My face got wider, my features became more prominent," he wrote in his memoir, Your Mom's Gonna Love Me. He’s adamant that he hasn't had jaw surgery or fillers, even going as far as to threaten legal action against a plastic surgeon on TikTok who hinted at working on him. Whether you believe the "second puberty" story or think there’s a surgeon out there sworn to secrecy, the dental work is the one "after" we know is real.
The Cost of Perfection
Getting a celebrity-level smile isn't cheap. In Beverly Hills, a single porcelain veneer can run anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. For a full set of eight, like Matt has, you’re looking at a $16,000 to $32,000 investment.
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For Matt, it was clearly worth it. It’s hard to imagine his current "pretty boy" persona working quite as well with the "picket fence" teeth he had in 2015. It gave him the confidence to lean into his looks, which has become a double-edged sword in his comedy. He often jokes about being "too attractive" for people to take his jokes seriously, a problem he definitely didn't have ten years ago.
Realities of the "Veneer Look"
While Matt’s teeth look great on camera, they have sparked a lot of conversation about the "Instagram Face" trend. His teeth are very white—like, blindingly white. In his 2024 Netflix special Lucid, he even poked fun at the obsession with his appearance. The special ends with a freeze-frame joke saying he went backstage to "take out his teeth."
It shows he’s in on the joke. He knows people think he’s "plastic," but he also knows that the smile helped get him where he is.
If you’re looking at Matt Rife and thinking about your own "before and after," there are a few things to keep in mind. First, veneers are permanent. They usually require shaving down your natural enamel, so there’s no going back. Second, they require maintenance. Even porcelain can chip if you’re not careful.
Actionable Insights for a Smile Transformation
If you're inspired by Matt's dental journey but aren't ready to drop $30k in Beverly Hills, here is how to approach it:
- Consult a Professional: Start with an orthodontist if your issue is alignment. Sometimes Invisalign can close gaps without the need for invasive veneers.
- Trial Period: Ask your dentist about "composite bonding" first. It’s cheaper, non-permanent, and can fix small gaps to see if you like the look.
- Color Check: If you do go the veneer route, consider a "natural white" rather than "bleach white" to avoid the "piano key" look that often happens with celebrity dental work.
- Verify Your Surgeon: If you see a TikTok doctor claiming they worked on a celeb, take it with a grain of salt. HIPPA laws make it illegal for them to disclose patients without permission.
The reality of the matt rife teeth before and after saga is that it was a strategic career move. He invested in himself when he was still a "nobody," and it paid off. Whether you love his comedy or can't stand his latest special, you can't deny the power of a good dentist.