Permanent Gold Teeth Cost
Known as gold grills/”grillz”, gold caps, gold slugs or even gold teeth, permanent gold teeth didn’t become popular until the mid to late 2000s. Even though it has been around since the early 1980s, the trend took off as of late with prominent hip-hop stars such as Nelly, Flavor Flav and even Justin Beiber supporting the look.
Often used for cosmetic purposes, dentists, however, have used gold fillings in the past before mercury amalgam fillings were available. At the time, gold was known to be nearly immune to corrosion and hard enough to form a biting surface that could be used for years. Over time, though, dentists soon used silver and other materials to replace the gold of the past.
How much do permanent gold teeth cost?
Not all gold teeth are permanent as some opt to use a removable set that simply attaches to the teeth and can be removed, similar to dentures; however, if you want a permanent set of gold teeth, then the costs will depend on dentist performing the mold, the lab they use, the amount of gold and if you plan on removing your tooth or creating a permanent cap which will simply go over your existing tooth. With all of this in mind, the average customized gold cap can cost about $150 to $650 per cap, but it can be much more if you wanted more carats or like a hip-hop star often does — add diamonds to it to further increase the price. According to Strikingly.com, for instance, Paul Wall, Snoop Dogg and Beyonce all reported spending thousands of dollars on their permanent gold teeth. Lil Wayne was said to spend more than $150,000 on his.
We found a store on Etsy, for example, which offered permanent individual gold caps that required no dentist and were all made to order with the included mold kit that came with each purchase. The teeth, which ranged from 8 to 24KT, came in a yellow, white and rose color, with prices ranging from $69 for an 8KT gold tooth to as much as $189 for a 24KT gold tooth. According to the description, these teeth did not require the typical dental cementing procedure and are customized to your teeth only, which came with an adhesive that you would apply to your natural teeth. If done correctly, the semi-permanent cement would adhere to your teeth for up to four months and another four months after that with their washing technique.
As for a gold crown, the costs will often be much more than a cap as there will be more work involved for a dentist. According to animated-teeth.com, the average gold crown can cost anywhere from $670 to $1,450 and will depend on the construction method, your city/state, if you have insurance and the dentist you use.
| Permanent gold teeth caps | $150 to $650+ |
| Permanent gold teeth implant | $650 to $1,600+ |
NOTE: Like picking out an engagement ring, the more carats you want, the higher the price can be. Use this as an estimate for an 8-24KT permanent gold tooth.
What exactly is a gold tooth implant?
Gold tooth implants, just like any other implant, are anchored into the jaw to replace your natural tooth in its original space, unless you’re opting for a cap, which, in this case, will “cover” your tooth. Working just like your natural teeth, gold teeth, as indicated in our introduction, is often used as cosmetic purposes and dentists 99.9% of the time will not recommend them if you’re in need of an implant. More than just a gold tooth, you can even customize it to add artificial/real diamonds or even gemstones for that added flare.
Gold tooth implants, made up of two pieces, will have an outer layer made of a titanium implant that is surgically attached into the mandible and the actual gold tooth. Compared to other materials, gold implants are known to place stress on the teeth, but due to the costs, again, dentists will never recommend them as they are only seen as a “cosmetic” value today. The benefits, in the end, are almost identical to all other types of implants.
The process
The most common way for a permanent gold tooth is via a mold, regardless of which method you choose. With the exception of some specialty shops, such as the Esty reference above, your dentist will first want to visually examine your tooth to make the decision to either create a cap, if you choose, or an implant, which will take the place of your natural tooth that is eventually removed. To do so, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth via a molding kit and will send it off to a lab they work with to create the perfect impression of the tooth they are mimicking. On average, this mold should come back to the dentist in as little as seven to 14 days, or in some cases, they may have an in-house lab that’s able to create your tooth on the spot.
From there, once the dentist receives the mold, they will ask to come in for a future appointment to either cement the new cap to your existing tooth or add the new gold implant tooth to replace the old one.
Tips to know
Aside from the United States, gold teeth are used around the globe, particularly Asia and Russia, and is often seen as a status symbol sign, usually indicating wealth.
Implants are not as successful for those who either have weaker jawbones and/or have a record of gum disease. Your dentist will always be able to discuss your options and if you’re a good candidate for the procedure if you do choose this option.
While it’s not “permanent,” many companies produce novelty gold teeth which can cost less than $20.
According to the ADA, there are no studies which show that the long-term wear is safe or harmful, but if you do wear a grill, it’s extremely important you floss, brush and use mouthwash to prevent any potential problems which could get caught in between your teeth.
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Average Reported Cost: $0
