Dental Grillz
Grillz are decorative covers worn over one or more teeth, typically made from a metal alloy and sometimes incorporating decorative stones. Custom-made removable grillz are designed from a scan or impression of your teeth.
Design features include:
- Individual or multiple-tooth coverage.
- Personalised shapes, finishes, and decorative details.
- A removable accessory for occasional wear.
Grillz differ from dental crowns, which are restorations used to rebuild damaged teeth. Removable grillz should not be glued onto your teeth or forced into place.
Tooth Jewels & Gems
“Tooth jewels” and “tooth gems” generally describe the same category of decoration: a small crystal, stone, or decorative piece bonded to the tooth surface.
For suitable surface-bonded designs, placement generally does not require drilling. However, the enamel is treated for bonding, and professional removal is needed to minimise the risk of damage.
Design features include:
- A subtle single gem or a selected arrangement.
- Different shapes, sizes, and finishes, subject to suitability.
- Placement chosen to consider appearance, bite, and access for cleaning.
Not every jewellery material is suitable for use in the mouth. The composition, attachment method, and location must be assessed.
The Treatment Process
- 1
Consultation and suitability assessment
Your dentist checks for decay, gum disease, enamel damage, existing restorations, and bite concerns. Allergies and the composition of proposed materials are discussed.
- 2
Design and position selection
The size and placement are planned to reduce interference with your bite, gums, and lips. Your dentist may advise against a particular design or against placement altogether.
- 3
Fabrication or bonding
For custom grillz, a scan or impression is taken for fabrication, followed by a fitting appointment. For a bonded gem, the tooth is cleaned and isolated before the decoration is attached using an appropriate dental bonding system.
- 4
Final checks and care instructions
Your dentist checks stability, comfort, and bite clearance, then explains cleaning, wear, review, and removal.
Important Considerations
Dental jewellery can trap plaque and food, making cleaning more difficult. Possible complications include tooth decay, gum inflammation, enamel wear, chipped teeth, irritation, and allergic reactions. A loose decoration may also be swallowed or inhaled.
Professional fitting does not eliminate these risks. Major dental associations advise against tooth gems and oral jewellery because of possible adverse effects.
Aftercare
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily.
- Clean carefully around bonded jewellery.
- Remove removable grillz before eating, sleeping, and playing sports.
- Clean grillz as instructed; do not use household glue or jewellery-cleaning chemicals.
- Never pick, pull, or attempt to remove a bonded gem yourself.
- Arrange a dental review if jewellery becomes loose or causes pain, irritation, or bite changes.
| Feature | Removable grillz | Bonded tooth jewels / gems |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Covers part of one or more teeth | Adds a small decorative detail |
| Attachment | Custom-fitted removable cover | Bonded to the tooth surface |
| Appointments | Usually scan or impression, then fitting | Often one placement visit after assessment |
| Removal | Removed by the wearer as instructed | Requires professional removal |
| Maintenance | Clean both the grill and teeth separately | Clean carefully around the attachment |
| Main concerns | Trapped plaque, irritation, wear, and material allergy | Plaque retention, enamel damage, loosening, and ingestion or inhalation |
Appearance
- Removable grillz
- Covers part of one or more teeth
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Adds a small decorative detail
Attachment
- Removable grillz
- Custom-fitted removable cover
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Bonded to the tooth surface
Appointments
- Removable grillz
- Usually scan or impression, then fitting
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Often one placement visit after assessment
Removal
- Removable grillz
- Removed by the wearer as instructed
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Requires professional removal
Maintenance
- Removable grillz
- Clean both the grill and teeth separately
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Clean carefully around the attachment
Main concerns
- Removable grillz
- Trapped plaque, irritation, wear, and material allergy
- Bonded tooth jewels / gems
- Plaque retention, enamel damage, loosening, and ingestion or inhalation
