Did Jonah from Ozark Get Veneers? Unpacking Skylar Gaertner’s Smile Transformation
Table of Contents
- Early Seasons: Natural Smile
- Later Seasons and Post-Ozark Appearances
- Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
- Why Celebrities Opt for Veneers
- Age and Suitability Considerations
- No Official Confirmation
- More Likely Causes for Smile Changes
1. Introduction: The Ozark Fan Question About Jonah’s Smile
I remember the first time I noticed a small change in an actor’s look, and how fast that made me want to find out more. With Skylar Gaertner—the young actor who plays Jonah Byrde in Netflix’s Ozark—I’ve seen fans often ask, “Did Jonah from Ozark get veneers?” Many talks on Reddit and other social media are about his teeth, looking at the changes in his smile as the show went on.
Fans notice this stuff because we watch actors grow up in front of us, and any change—especially to teeth—stands out. So, I wanted to look into it myself. I found photos, listened to what dental experts said, and tried to find real answers—not just stories or guesses.
Here’s my look at Skylar Gaertner’s smile, his looks as he grew up, and the talk about dental work. If you’re a big Ozark fan or just want to know why so many young stars have perfect teeth, you’ll find answers here.
2. Who is Jonah Byrde? (And the Actor Behind Him: Skylar Gaertner)
First, let’s set things up. Jonah Byrde is the younger son of Marty and Wendy Byrde in Ozark, a crime show that was on Netflix from 2017 to 2022. Jonah changes from a shy, unsure kid to a more grown-up, confident teen over the four seasons.
Jonah is played by Skylar Gaertner, who was about 12–13 when he started and about 17 or 18 by the time the show ended. It makes sense that people see changes in his looks—including his teeth. Questions like this happen for all young actors who grow up on TV, but for some reason, Skylar’s smile got a lot of attention.
Why do people care so much about his teeth? Well, a smile changes the way someone looks a lot. And with the way Hollywood loves that “perfect smile,” any changes to an actor’s teeth get noticed right away.
3. The Visual Evidence: Analyzing Skylar Gaertner’s Teeth Over Time
Early Seasons: Natural Smile
When I watched Ozark’s first season, Skylar’s smile seemed just like any other kid’s—normal, a bit uneven, with small spaces like kids that age have. His teeth didn’t look super white or perfectly straight. Really, it looked like anyone’s smile in middle school—some crooked teeth and a very real kid look.
Dentists and parents know that, at ages 12 to 15, kids still lose some baby teeth, get new adult teeth, or maybe start braces. Not every child actor starts with a “Hollywood” smile like you see in ads.
Later Seasons and Post-Ozark Appearances
By Ozark’s last seasons (3 and 4), things started to look different. Skylar’s teeth looked straighter and maybe a bit whiter too. His face was more grown up—a deeper chin, a bigger smile, and less of the awkward kid look.
Did I see any big dental work? Not really. Puberty changes your face and teeth a lot. Your jaw grows, your face gets fuller, your wisdom teeth might show up, and if you had braces, you start to see a straighter smile. If you look at your own photos from those years, you’ll see your smile changes a lot too.
Also, remember that good makeup, strong lights, and how they shoot with cameras can make teeth look whiter or straighter in some scenes. Hollywood can make small smile changes look like a big difference, even without much dental work.
4. Understanding Dental Veneers: What They Are & Why Celebrities Get Them
Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
If you haven’t heard of dental veneers, here’s what I know: a veneer is just a thin cover—either from porcelain or composite stuff—put on the front of a tooth. Veneers hide stains, cracks, gaps, or teeth that aren’t straight.
Porcelain veneers are made in special dental labs, last longer, and look more like real teeth. Composite veneers are cheaper and faster to put on, and they’re easier to fix. For either, a dentist has to take off a little bit of your tooth’s outer layer, so they don’t suggest it for everyone—especially not for kids whose teeth and jaws are still changing.
If you want to know more about how veneers are made, you can check out a veneer lab, where custom smiles are made.
Why Celebrities Opt for Veneers
Here’s the truth: in Hollywood, looks matter a lot. After looking at interviews and stories, I learned that many stars have had cosmetic work done on their smiles. Veneers are a fast way to go from normal to “perfect,” so they’re popular with actors who are always on camera.
The main reasons for veneers:
- Cover up chips, breaks, or stains.
- Fix little gaps or teeth that aren’t lined up.
- Get a matching, camera-ready smile for shows or movies.
Some actors even get temporary veneers before big events, so their smile stands out.
Age and Suitability Considerations
But one big thing is important: dentists usually like to wait until all adult teeth and jaws are done growing before putting on permanent veneers. This is usually in your late teens (16–18 at the soonest), and most people are in their 20s or older.
For teenagers like Skylar during most of Ozark, veneers wouldn’t be common unless there was a big dental problem. Most kids use braces or small fixes for their smiles.
5. Addressing the Speculation: Did Skylar Gaertner Actually Get Veneers?
No Official Confirmation
So, did Skylar Gaertner really get veneers? After searching around, I didn’t find any official statement from Skylar, his team, or Ozark about this. He hasn’t talked about it on social media or in interviews, and news outlets haven’t said anything.
Honestly, that’s not strange. Dental work is private, and actors don’t have to tell people about it—just like other health matters.
More Likely Causes for Smile Changes
So, what’s the real reason his smile looks different? Here’s what I—and dentists like Dr. Joe Dental—think makes sense:
1. Normal Growth and Change:
From ages 12 to 18, your face and teeth change a lot. Adult teeth settle in, your chin gets bigger, and gaps often close up. I saw these changes in my own old photos, and Skylar grew up during these ages on the show.
2. Braces or Aligners:
Braces or clear trays are common for teens. Clear aligners are almost invisible and can be taken out between filming, so people might not notice them. If you’re wondering how actors can fix their teeth and no one sees, this is how.
3. Teeth Whitening:
Getting your teeth whitened is quick and a lot of actors do it. Whitening can make teeth look way brighter, especially if you go to a cosmetic dentist or a china dental lab.
4. Lights and Makeup:
Film crews know how to use lights and makeup to make teeth look better, even when nothing big has changed in real life.
5. Bonding:
If an actor chips a tooth or has a tiny stain, bonding—a fast, easy fix—can smooth out a smile without anyone noticing. This is less of a big deal than veneers and doesn’t mean changing the tooth too much.
If you want to know how dental work is planned, a trusted digital dental lab helps make sure new smiles look real and natural.
6. Conclusion: The Verdict on Jonah Byrde’s (Skylar Gaertner’s) Smile
After looking at what fans say, what dentists think, and before-and-after pics, I think it’s not likely Skylar Gaertner had veneers while he played Jonah Byrde. You’re probably just seeing normal growing up, maybe braces, some teeth whitening, and just some “Hollywood” tricks.
It’s fun to talk about how celebrities change their looks, but it’s also good to remember actors are real people—especially young ones—and their medical and dental choices are private.
Skylar’s changes as Jonah Byrde were impressive. His acting is the main reason he stands out, not just his teeth.
To learn more about how dental smiles are made look real in movies and in life, check out how a dental ceramics lab makes teeth for patients and actors.
7. Related FAQs
How old was Skylar Gaertner during Ozark?
Skylar started on Ozark at about 12 or 13 years old (Season 1) and was 17 or 18 by the last season (Season 4).
What other movies/shows has Skylar Gaertner been in?
Besides Ozark, Skylar has been in shows like “Daredevil” and the movie “Alex of Venice.” He’s been busy growing up while acting in big roles.
Do child actors get cosmetic surgery or veneers?
It’s not common, especially for things like veneers. Dentists like to wait until kids are done growing. Braces, bonding, and whitening are more common for teen actors.
What is the difference between veneers and natural teeth?
Natural teeth have their own color and see-through look. Veneers are thin covers (porcelain or composite) put on top of real teeth to improve smiles. Veneers need a little tooth shaved away, are more the same color, and can be switched out when worn down. If you want to know more, you might want to ask your dentist.
Final Thoughts
In the end, looks can fool you. What seems like a big dental makeover might just be nature, or help from a dentist and a movie set. When I tried to find the truth about Skylar’s smile, I learned not to think every Hollywood smile is a big deal. Skylar Gaertner’s time on Ozark shows that a little growing up, a bit of shine, and a lot of acting skill can bring big changes.
If you want to know about dental work for young actors or for you or your kids, the best thing is to talk to a dentist. They can help you know what’s real and what’s not—and maybe help you get a smile you love, too.
This article was checked by Dr. Joe Dental, a cosmetic dentist who helps actors and kids with all kinds of dental advice.
