Millionaire Dentist Jailed For ‘Wiping The Smiles Off The Faces’ Of Hundreds Of Patients

After promising his victims "celebrity smiles," a multimillionaire dentist was sentenced to prison for mutilating hundreds of patients and thousands of teeth.

French dentist Lionel Guedj, 42, was accused of "wiping the smiles off the faces" of his victims after promising them "celebrity smiles" through a series of unsuccessful procedures.

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According to testimony given in court, the 42-year-old dentist recommended several costly, hazardous, and unnecessary procedures that were frequently performed in a rush and led to major tooth issues in the future.

Guedj is said to have killed 3,900 strong teeth nerves through unnecessary root canal treatments between 2006 and 2012.

Guedj treated up to 70 patients every day, and many of the patients went on to experience severe dental issues as a result of the poorly executed celebrity smiles.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ouassila, who did not give her full name ahead of the ruling, said of Guedj's work: "I had lost half my teeth by the time I was 45, and at 55 I no longer had any, only implants."

According to other victims, the trauma caused by poor dental work resulted in chronic pain, infections, societal problems, and even one incidence of divorce.

Guedj was described as the "wealthiest dentist in France" at the time and earned $2.9 million in just one year.

He also had five apartments, three in Paris and two in the Alps, a Ferrari, a yacht worth $708264, and works by pop art great Andy Warhol.

Guedj and his father Carnot Guedj were both removed from the dentist register, and the majority of the patients were from impoverished council estates who claimed payment for their dental care through the social security system.

In addition, the two were found responsible for inflicting "voluntary violence leading to mutilation or a permanent disability" on 327 patients. Guedj received an eight-year sentence, while Carnot, the father, received a five-year prison term.

According to The Telegraph, the two men "wiped the smile" off the patients' faces and "destroyed" their lives in the process. This was stated by the presiding judge, Céline Ballerini.