Nene Leakes doesn't do anything small. From her towering personality on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to her "I said what I said" catchphrases, she’s always been about the upgrade. But for a long time, fans were obsessed with a very specific part of her evolution: her mouth. Specifically, the old Nene Leakes teeth that defined her look during the early seasons of Bravo’s juggernaut franchise.
It’s wild to look back at Season 1 footage. She looked different. Her smile was authentic, sure, but it wasn't that blinding, Hollywood-white glow we see on every influencer's Instagram feed today.
People noticed.
In the world of reality TV, your face is your currency. As the checks got bigger and the fame grew more intense, Nene, like many of her peers, decided the natural look wasn't cutting it anymore. She wanted the "Rich Bitch" aesthetic to be literal, right down to the enamel. This wasn't just a quick whitening treatment at the mall; it was a total overhaul that sparked years of conversation about cosmetic dentistry and the pressures of being in the spotlight.
The Evolution of the Nene Leakes Smile
Early on, Nene had what most would call a "normal" smile. It wasn't perfect, and that was part of her charm. She had a gap—a diastema—that gave her character. It made her feel like a real person from Athens, Georgia, rather than a manufactured TV product. However, as the seasons rolled by, that gap started to disappear.
She eventually went for veneers.
If you aren't familiar with the technical side of things, veneers are basically thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of the teeth. To get them, a dentist usually has to shave down your natural teeth. It’s a permanent commitment. You can't just "go back" to your original look once the drill comes out.
Nene’s transformation was gradual but became undeniable by the time she was making appearances on Glee and The New Normal. She needed a smile that could stand up to the high-definition cameras of scripted Hollywood. The old Nene Leakes teeth were replaced by a set that was straighter, whiter, and significantly more uniform. Honestly, it changed the way she talked. If you listen closely to her later seasons on RHOA, there’s a slight lisp at times—a common side effect when the new porcelain is just a millimeter too thick for the tongue to navigate.
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Why Fans Keep Digging Up Her Old Look
Why do we care? Why are people still Googling "old Nene Leakes teeth" years after she left the show?
It’s about the "Before."
We live in an era where everyone looks the same. The "Instagram face" has taken over. When we look at Nene’s original teeth, we’re looking at a version of her that hadn't been fully "produced" yet. There’s a nostalgia for the raw, unpolished Nene who would get into it with Kim Zolciak on a tour bus.
The Dr. Apa Connection
When Nene finally decided to get her smile "right" for the long haul, she didn't just go to any local dentist. She went to the heavy hitters. Dr. Michael Apa, a celebrity dentist known for creating smiles that cost as much as a luxury SUV, has been linked to several Housewives’ transformations.
The "Apa Aesthetic" is about making veneers look like real teeth, but better. Nene’s later versions of her smile moved away from the "chiclet" look—where the teeth are all one flat, opaque white block—and toward something with more translucency.
Here is the thing: cosmetic dentistry isn't a one-and-done deal. Porcelain wears down. Gums recede. You have to maintain them. Nene has likely had her veneers replaced at least once or twice since her initial transformation. Each time, the look shifts slightly. Sometimes they look a bit too big for her face; other times, they look perfectly proportional.
The Cost of the "Rich" Look
If you’re thinking about getting rid of your "old" teeth to mimic Nene’s current vibe, bring your checkbook. High-end veneers in cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York typically run between $2,000 and $4,000 per tooth.
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Do the math.
A full "smile makeover" usually involves the top 8 to 10 teeth. We’re talking $20,000 to $40,000 just for the uppers. If you do the lowers too? You’re looking at the price of a down payment on a house in most parts of the country.
Nene has always been open about her plastic surgery. She’s discussed her nose jobs and her breast augmentations. She doesn't hide the fact that she’s paid for her look. In a 2016 interview with Watch What Happens Live, she famously defended her right to change whatever she wanted. She basically told the world that if she has the money and it makes her feel good, why should anyone else care?
Common Misconceptions About Nene's Dental Journey
Most people think she just got "fake teeth" and called it a day. It’s more complex than that.
- It wasn't just whitening: You can't get that level of structural change from bleach.
- The "Gap" wasn't "fixed" with braces: While some people use Invisalign, Nene clearly went the restorative route with porcelain to change the actual shape and size of her teeth.
- It affects your aging: Veneers support the lip. As you get older and lose collagen, having that extra structure from the veneers can actually make you look younger by preventing the "collapsed" mouth look.
Nene’s journey is a blueprint for the modern reality star. You start with the "old" version of yourself—the one the audience connects with—and then you slowly refine that image until you become a polished version of the brand.
But there’s a catch.
When you change your teeth, you change your smile’s "personality." Nene’s original smile had a certain "homegrown" feel. Her new smile is "Global Icon." Both have their merits, but for the purists who have watched her since 2008, those old Nene Leakes teeth represent the woman who put Atlanta on the map.
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What You Should Know Before Pursuing a "Nene Smile"
If you are looking at your own "old" teeth and thinking it’s time for a change, you need to be realistic. Cosmetic dentistry is surgery.
First, find a prosthodontist, not just a general dentist. You want someone who specializes in the mechanics of the bite. If your veneers aren't aligned correctly, you’ll end up with jaw pain, cracked porcelain, or worse, "black triangles" between the teeth where the gum has died back.
Second, ask for a "wax-up." This is a physical model of what your new teeth will look like. Don't just trust the digital photos on a screen. You need to see the proportions in 3D. Nene’s teeth work because she has a large, expressive mouth and a strong jawline. If you put those same teeth on a person with a small, delicate face, they’d look like a cartoon character.
Finally, remember the maintenance. You can’t just bite into a candy apple or chew on ice with $30,000 in your mouth. You have to protect the investment.
Nene Leakes transitioned from a local celebrity to a household name, and her teeth followed that same trajectory. While we might miss the relatability of her Season 1 look, there’s no denying that her current smile is part of the armor she wears to stay at the top of the entertainment food chain.
Next Steps for Your Smile Journey:
If you're considering moving on from your own "old" smile, start by booking a consultation for a "smile design" rather than just asking for veneers. A good clinician will evaluate your facial symmetry and lip line to ensure the teeth look natural rather than "done." Research "minimal prep" veneers if you want to avoid the aggressive shaving of your natural enamel, which preserves the health of your underlying teeth for much longer than traditional methods.