Campbell, 25, was initially hesitant about going to the interview, wondering what her employers would think of her. “I was a little hesitant because I work in financial services. I usually wear a suit or a formal dress, but I came in wearing baggy trousers and a padded jacket,” she says.
But Campbell’s shyness has largely disappeared. She has become more daring. She discovered a dental jewelry studio in East London, where she has her teeth decorated with jewelry.
“People are feeling more confident and comfortable expressing themselves. After all, if people can proudly show off their tattoos, why can’t I wear dental jewelry?”
Tooth jewelry is becoming increasingly popular. It’s not just small, delicate gems that are now used on teeth, but also removable, designed grills that cover the front teeth.
Since the dress code in the workplace has relaxed due to the coronavirus pandemic, people have become more interested in this type of dental decoration. People are now using crystals, diamonds, opals and gold on their teeth to decorate their smiles in their own way.
In addition, gender stereotypes of the past are also breaking down. The belief that jewelry is only for women is changing.
Grayson Bhattal, 22, came to ‘Chan Beauty’ to have a silver star engraved on her front teeth. This is her first experience.
“I think you have more freedom to do what you want now,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chai Beauty tooth-gem technician Patrice Nuelli recently worked on the teeth of a 60-year-old client. She also said that she looked very stylish.
According to Nuelli, the most popular dental decoration currently is the ‘confetti’ style. The confetti technique involves placing multiple gems across the teeth. Nuelli says she has so far placed around 100 gems in her studio in one sitting.
The gems come in a variety of designs, including butterflies, flowers, cherries, teardrops and iridescent Swarovski AB crystals. Each stone starts at £35.
Nicole Gutierrez-Locke, owner of Scallen Studios in Newcastle, says that the younger generation, known as Generation Z or Gen Z, is becoming more interested in the styles and trends of the 1900s and early 2000s. Nicole says she herself emulated the trends of the 1960s and 1970s when she was a teenager in the 1990s.
Nicole believes that trends cycle back over time, forming a continuous loop. She believes that things like wearing gemstones or jewelry on teeth will become as popular and widely accepted as body tattoos. He said that in 2022, demand for gemstones on teeth increased significantly at his studio. He also believes that the trend is gradually spreading from the northeast of England to other parts of the country.
Nuelli decorated Campbell’s teeth with four Swarovski crystals, ranging in size from 1 to 4 millimeters. The process is quite different from the methods used in the 1990s, when nails and glue were used to drill into the teeth. (However, the real identity of the person who did this is still unknown.)
Nuelli first applied etching acid to the teeth to create a rough surface, then he used a type of resin that dentists usually use for dental braces. However, here he used crystal stones instead of ordinary braces. After applying a type of special glue, he checked the position of the crystals with a mirror. Finally, he used a UV light to dry the glue.
The whole process is painless and takes about 20 minutes. The crystals will stay in Campbell’s teeth for up to two years. However, she will need to keep her teeth clean, and not drink soft drinks or use her tongue to move the crystals around too much. Campbell is happy with her new look, her braids swinging and her teeth sparkling.
Along with the rise of cosmetic dentistry, the popularity of dental jewelry is growing. The increase in cosmetic dental procedures is due to the ‘zoom boom’ during the pandemic, when people became more conscious about their appearance.
Procedures such as teeth straightening and veneers have become increasingly popular in the post-Covid era. Many Britons are opting for ‘invisible’ braces such as Invisalign. A survey by the British Orthodontic Society last year found that more than three-quarters of orthodontists said they had seen an increase in the number of adults coming to them for treatment.
Nuelli says they can also attach gems to Invisalign braces, a popular teeth straightening product. “We have a lot of clients who send us their braces instead of coming to the studio, and we attach gems or crystals and send them back to them,” he says.
Many people have artificial veneers on their teeth. It’s difficult to attach gems to veneers, Nuelli says, because the surface is too smooth to provide enough grip or friction.
Some studios claim that using gems on teeth is safe, but others see it as an unnecessary effort in the name of beauty. Many are concerned about using jewelry on their teeth in this way. They cite potential risks such as damaging tooth enamel and plaque buildup.
