When we first saw Kanye West’s new Bond villain-inspired teeth, we had quite a few questions. We saw conflicting reports that in order to achieve this look, West had his teeth removed, which is ill-advised by most dental experts. However, Beverly Hills, CA dentist Thomas Connelly, DDS, who performed the procedure, told Complex, “He did not have his teeth removed.” Dr. Connelly confirmed, “He still has a full dentition. Healthy and happy.” So rather than titanium dentures, as people speculated, it seems Kanye just got a fresh set of grills.
“Dental grills are a form of art and self-expression, very similar to a tattoo,” says Beverly Hills, CA dentist Marjan Mirani, DDS. She says when done by a qualified dentist and properly cared for, they don’t pose a concern. A handful of other singers and superstars have had these prosthetics added to gain a certain aesthetic.
Just like with anyone else, it’s important to keep up your oral hygiene when you have grills. “These grills can be removed easily, and patients can do their hygiene routine comfortably at home,” says Dr. Mirani. “My patients usually come in every three months for a professional dental cleaning, so we always do a complete evaluation and exam.”
