Tooth Gems and Stones
Gems and stones for your teeth are characteristically small but have an instant impact on the overall appearance of your smile. They can be as subtle or as loud as the wearer intends them to be; some choose to have a single stone attached to a tooth and some may go for a more dramatic look with a whole set of bejewelled teeth. The design, colour, shape and positioning is left to the individual to decide. You could have a subtle star-shaped diamond in the bottom left-hand corner of your incisor; you could have a string of sapphires running across your front teeth to really add some sparkle; you could even have a cluster of small elegant rubies on one tooth. The choice is yours.
There are no rules regarding tooth gems and for this reason the jewellery is such a good form of self expression. If your style is subtle but classy and you desire that little extra sparkle then a single jewel is definitely what you are looking for. If you are the eccentric, out-there type and you want your smile to carry the same edge that your clothes, your hair and your attitude might do, then why not go for a whole set of sparklers. It will certainly make you stand out in a crowd!
What's out there?
There are a number of brands on the market today; including Smilegems and Stargems. The most popular gems are made from either real diamond or zircon and are usually between 1.5 and 2.5 millimetres in diameter. You can even buy tooth gems made of Swarovski crystal if you want something truly glamorous. They come in various styles and colours, including simple round jewels, star shapes and even rose-shaped gems. The options are endless and you are bound to find the right size, colour and style to suit your personal tastes.
Tooth gems come in two main types; known as twinkles and dental gems. Twinkles are 24-carat gold or white gold jewels available in more than 50 different designs with options including diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Dental gems are glass crystals, with the appearance of a diamante and these are available in 9 different colours " ruby, sapphire, sapphire light, diamond, emerald, emerald green, rainbow, pink and aquamarine.
The safer option
Tooth gems can be affixed at home with a special kit; either by yourself or by someone you trust to get it right. Nevertheless, it is always best to visit a dentist for the procedure if you really want your tooth gem to look dazzling. Many dentists provide the service and a dentist is best equipped to help you with the decisions you have to make about the size, shape, colour and position that will best suit your smile. A dentist can also ensure that the tooth (or teeth) you choose to decorate is strong and healthy enough to cope with the application. The procedure is in no way harmful to teeth and wearing a tooth gem should not damage healthy teeth at all; but if your chosen tooth is not healthy then a dentist may advise you to have the gem somewhere else. It is also useful to have a dental cleaning prior to the application due to the fact that an area of the chosen tooth is about to be covered for a significant length of time and the best way to avoid dental problems after application is to start out with a squeaky clean mouth.
Later sections look at the application process for tooth gems, self-application and professional; the cost of these accessories; eligibility and availability.