Alan Clarke speaks to Jon Marashi, known as the ‘Tom Ford of cosmetic dentistry’, with celebrity patients including Joaquin Phoenix, Cher and P!nk.
Los Angeles-based cosmetic dentist Jon Marashi is widely recognised for his work at the intersection of high-end aesthetic dentistry, personal branding and global education.
Often described as the ‘Tom Ford of cosmetic dentistry’, Jon has built a reputation for natural-looking smile design that prioritises individuality over uniform perfection. He is perhaps best known for his work with high-profile and celebrity clients, earning a reputation as a trusted clinician to figures across film, music and television.
His client list includes names such as Joaquin Phoenix, Cher, P!nk, Ben Affleck, Vin Diesel, Matt Damon and Nicolas Cage.
Beyond clinical practice, Marashi is an international speaker and educator, working with clinicians and technicians worldwide to promote open knowledge sharing, mentorship, collaboration and evidence-led innovation in aesthetic dentistry.
A keen skateboarder, Jon is also a board member of The Skatepark Project with the legendary Tony Hawk, an organisation dedicated to building skateparks globally in underserved areas.
Alan Clarke (AC): What’s the first thing you do in the morning – espresso, matcha or neither?
Jon Marashi (JM): Black coffee all the way.
AC: What’s one word to describe your aesthetic, bearing in mind you’ve been called the Tom Ford of dentistry?
JM: You know what it is? It’s quiet luxury. It’s tasteful, it’s subtle and elegant and timeless all at the same time.
AC: What music and soundtrack do you play?
JM: The soundtrack of my life comes from two decades. You’re gonna get a ton of 70s classic rock. You’re gonna hear the Stones. You’re gonna hear Bob Dylan. You’ll hear Grateful Dead – all kinds of fun classic rock. You’ll hear Crosby, Stills and Nash. But then you’re gonna hear a lot of 90s alternative and grunge – Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains. We like to rock out here. And there’s everything sprinkled in between. You’ll get some stuff from the 80s, the 60s, the early odds. But the cool thing is, it all kind of works. And folks who come in here, they’re like: ‘Man, you guys are jamming.’
Yes, we are.
AC: Jon, I love the skateboards. Can you tell me about your love of skateboarding?
JM: There’s only two things I wanted to do my entire life. It was going to be either a professional skateboarder or a cosmetic dentist. Fortunately, I became a professional dentist and stayed as an amateur skateboarder. It’s a great story behind this picture.
This is me at the Venice skate park. It was at 6:30 in the morning to get this picture. It’s a little hard doing a hand plant with the Tom Ford dinner jacket on, but we made it work.
AC: What’s your favourite hidden gem in LA?
JM: Oh my gosh, Pacific Palisades. It is the most beautiful place on earth. We were affected by the fires, unfortunately, but the city is going to come back even stronger than it was before. It’s a slice of heaven.
AC: Beach, canyon, or city rooftop?
JM: Beach, duh.
AC: Where do you go to clear your head?
JM: I go to the beach to clear my head. For my commute to work, I get to go on Pacific Coast Highway and see the ocean every morning. It’s absolutely incredible. You roll the windows down, you hear the waves crash in, and I go so early in the morning that there’s no other cars out really. So it’s therapeutic and it’s meditative, all at the same time. You just really take in the energy.
AC: Jon, describe LA in three words.
JM: Big, exciting and Hollywood. Folks, we make movies here. It’s fantastic.
AC: Jon, tell me about your wall. It’s stunning.
JM: Oh my gosh, the wall of fame. It’s a lot of fun. It started out very small and you work your whole career just to hope that you get one. And over almost 25 years, the thing is blown up, and I now have multiple walls all over the office.
I’ll tell you a couple of the fun ones here. Nick Cage, one of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet. He dresses like he does in the photos in real life. He’s just a style icon and a renaissance man. He’s into cool things like cars and watches. Totally dig the dude’s vibe.
There’s another fun one on here – P!nk’s one of my all-time favourites. I’ve got a million stories about her because I’ve been able to spend time with her and her family. She’s just a powerhouse of energy and kindness, and she’s badass. She can sing and she can rock. It’s pretty cool.
Cher – the queen. I mean, enough said. And Obi-Wan Kenobi. I mean, come on, it doesn’t get better than that.
AC: Tell me about these pictures. Is that P!nk?
JM: This is a great story. This was actually a holiday gift from her from maybe a couple of years ago. We’re backstage at one of her concerts with my wife and my younger daughter.
And on this picture down here, she had asked me to take a look at something on her son’s tooth, and I’m using my iPhone, having him open wide. The photographer caught the photo. I didn’t even know it was being photographed. She had both of these framed and sent to me, so they’re very special to me. A lot of fun stuff up on the walls here.
AC: Who was the first celebrity client that you had?
JM: The first celebrity client that I ever had was someone who applied to be an extra as a mermaid on Pirates of the Caribbean. So folks who are listening – humble beginnings. You just slowly work your way up.
AC: What’s it like treating high-profile clients?
JM: You know, it’s interesting. There’s an assumption that it’s high pressure and that they’re really demanding. And the reality is that their schedules are demanding, but usually they, as people, are no different than anyone else. They want you to do a good job. They want to be treated with respect and kindness. And of course, they want to get things done on time and done right the first time.
So I don’t find it high pressure. But at the same time, it’s what I do every day, all day long. If you were only doing one of these in a blue moon, it would probably be a little more nerve-wracking.
AC: Jon, what’s your favourite celebrity moment in this office?
JM: One of my all-time favourite celebrity moments in the office – I was in the middle of a big procedure and my office manager comes up to me and she’s like: ‘Ryan Seacrest is on the phone for you. You need to take the call now.’
And I’m like: ‘Oh god, what’s going on?’ I had just seen him the day before. So I’m sitting there wondering if there was a problem?
I pick up the phone and there’s a voice on the other side and it goes: ‘Hi, you’re on the air, live with Ryan Seacrest.’ He was pranking me on live radio and wanted me to talk to his audience about what happened with his tooth the day before.
He’s a total working-class hero. I wasn’t expecting that. He’s probably done that two or three times over the years. Every time he comes in, the guy is just amazing.
AC: How do you create trust with someone who’s used to being in control, in the spotlight and surrounded by ‘yes’ people?
JM: That’s a big one, because developing trust with people in that category starts with you just telling them the truth. You have to give it to them straight, and you have to come from a place of compassion, caring and honesty. Without that, then that’s really all you are – just another yes person.
I think when people realise that you’re actually willing to tell them something they didn’t want to hear, or maybe even know, and there’s conviction behind it because it’s the right thing to do, that’s when people realise that you’re coming from the right place.
AC: Do you ever feel pressure to top yourself with your smile design?
JM: No, I don’t feel pressure to top myself for a smile design. Every project is different. The requirements are different. The aesthetic outcomes and the goals are different.
Where I put the pressure on myself is just maintaining a high level of quality. The designs are subjective. There’s what I think, what the patient thinks, and what other people are going to think. But there can’t be a substitute for quality. Ever.
AC: Do celebrities approach aesthetic dentistry with different anxieties or pressures compared to your other clients?
JM: You would think that would be the case, right? Because you’re in the public eye and on the big screen, so your teeth are front and centre. But you’d be shocked how many regular folks, especially if they’re introverted, are way more self-conscious about their appearance and people noticing.
So I actually don’t find a huge difference. People are people at the end of the day.
AC: Jon, tell me about your movie poster for Joker.
JM: Oh my God. This was fantastic. I had an opportunity to work on Joaquin Phoenix’s teeth for not only the first but both Joker movies.
He signed this poster for me, and if I can be a little bold with the language – this is in his words, not mine: ‘To Doc Jon, thanks for fucking up my smile. You’re the best. Joaquin Phoenix.’
That was a lot of fun, because we got to make his teeth look really ugly for the role, and it really fit his character quite well.
AC: You’ve built more than a practice. You’ve built a brand and a legacy. What’s one branding lesson every dentist should know?
JM: Come at it from your own point of view and make it a facet of who you are as a person. You can’t be all things to all people. People choose you because they resonate with you.
Think about half of my brand – I ride a skateboard, for crying out loud. And people come to see me who aren’t even skateboarders. But there’s something about it that works for them.
The music’s a little too loud. We play rock and roll. I talk really loud. I ride a skateboard. My mum said I’m a pretty good dentist. Maybe that’s my brand. And it’s worked well for me.
Find things you’re passionate about and share them with the world. It’s going to resonate with some people, for sure.
AC: What advice would you give a 28-year-old dentist in the UK or the US who wants more from their career?
JM: Priority number one is experience. How do you get it? You have to do more, and you’re going to have to work harder.
That means continuing professional development (CPD) and continuing education (CE), working on models, doing pro bono work. The CPD and CE can’t be understated. It’s not just in person – there are plenty of online courses you can gain information and advice from.
Your knowledge base is key. Your practical experience is key. Do as much as you can and stay humble. I’m about 25 years into this and I’m still learning.
AC: What does global collaboration mean in our field today?
JM: It changes everything. Everything I’ve learned, I didn’t invent. It’s been built on the success and hard work of others. You harness it, put your own flavour on it, and try to expand on it.
The idea of keeping it all to yourself is selfish. We have a professional obligation to share knowledge.
There’s an endless supply of patients. If I give something to someone else, I’m not taking something away from myself.
People opened their minds and hearts to teach me, so I’ve always felt compelled to do the same. As the profession does that, dentistry gets better across the board and patients win too.
AC: Natural imperfections or flawless finish?
JM: Natural imperfections all day.
AC: Digital smile design or hand-sculpted mock-ups?
JM: Analogue, baby. Manual. That’s how I do it.
AC: Black and white editorial or bold pop of colour?
JM: Pop of colour.
AC: Classic G-Wagon or vintage Porsche?
JM: Vintage Porsche.
AC: Malibu sunrise or New York rooftop?
JM: Malibu. You got it.
AC: Actors or musicians?
JM: Ooh, I can’t answer that one. I love them both.
AC: LA or London vibe?
JM: LA, all day, every day. It’s my home.
AC: Last question: what are your parting shots?
JM: Number one, know your outcome. If you know your outcome, it’s a lot easier to get there.
Number two, surround yourself with coaches and mentors. That’s the fastest way to get to the front of the line.
Number three, discipline and consistency. Ordinary things done consistently will yield extraordinary results. Pick up the business end of the shovel and dig. You’ll get there.
AC: Jon, thank you so much. It’s been an absolute blast.
JM: Absolutely my pleasure. We’ll see you next time.
