Frequently asked questions: GRILLZ

Removable caps and grillz are a form of tooth jewelry, typically gold, that fit over your existing teeth, both in the front and in back. You can pop these pieces in and out as you please. I use detailed impressions of your teeth ahead of jewelry production so that your jewelry is customized not only to your design specifications, but to your teeth — built to fit like a glove.

Your jewelry will last for a long time if properly cared for. For the safety of both your jewelry and your teeth, it's recommended you remove any jewelry before eating, drinking, smoking, or sleeping. You should always put your grillz back in their case, as they're easily lost.

To read about aftercare in more detail, please see full care instructions here.

Turnaround time depends a lot on your grillz design. Generally, solid or open caps, or simple designs, take about 4 weeks to manufacture following your first appointment.

Pieces with gemstones, enamel, or complex designs can take 6-8+ to manufacture.

As with other customs, like a tailored wedding dress, for example, grillz may not always fit perfectly on the first try! I recommend allowing plenty of padding if you're hoping to wear your grillz to an upcoming event, especially if it's a major life milestone like a wedding, graduation, etc. If a piece doesn't hold properly at your fitting appointment, it will take additional time to rework your grillz to ensure a well-fitting piece of jewelry that will last you well into the future.

Keep in mind: from time to time, I close my books due to travel, being at capacity, etc., so plan well in advance. I DO NOT OFFER RUSH JOBS.

Jewelry is available in 10-18kt solid gold — yellow, white, or rose — as well as sterling silver or platinum, depending on budget and preference. Pieces are often embellished with a variety of gemstones, including diamonds, as well as colored enamel.

• HAVE A GAP: Yes! Depending on the size of your gap, there are different options available such as making pieces a bit larger to compensate for gap space, adding a gap filler piece, or making a series of separate pieces as opposed to one large set of grillz.
• HAVE CROOKED TEETH: Generally, yes! Jewelry is created based on an impression of your teeth, so crooked teeth are no issue — the jewelry will match your teeth.
• HAVE MISSING TEETH: Generally, yes, as long as the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are healthy and strong enough to support jewelry. As each person's mouth is unique, please reach out for an online consult on your specific anatomy.
• HAVE A PERMANENT RETAINER: Generally yes! Permanent retainers do not usually cause any issues.
• WEAR INVISALIGN: Grillz are incompatible with teeth undergoing Invisalign realignment unless you are on your final tray maintenance phase.
• WEAR A REMOVABLE RETAINER, NIGHTGUARD, OR ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARD: Removable dental appliances like these should not interfere with your removable grillz.
• WEAR A FLIPPER: Generally, yes, as long as the grillz placement is different than the flipper.
• HAVE SMALL TEETH: Yes, but certain styles of grillz will not always hold on smaller teeth and we may have to tweak the design you have in mind to accommodate your oral anatomy.

Jewelry is built based on your personal, detailed bite impressions; pieces are custom-made to slide snugly on top of your tooth/teeth, gripping them from the front/back. Putting your jewelry on should merely require a little push into place from you. Pieces should be tight enough to stay in place but not so tight that they cause any pain/tooth movement.

If you are experiencing any pain/discomfort, or if your jewelry is slipping/moving, please get in touch right away so we can fix it up to ensure your jewelry is comfortable long-term.

Can you? Sure. SHOULD you? No. It is not advised for a number of reasons, such as:

• Food/drink on grillz = dirty grillz.
• Rough foods may scratch your jewelry.
• Bacteria may sneak between your grill and teeth, which heightens your risk of cavities.
• Heat elements may tarnish your grillz.
• Etc, etc, etc.

It's also important to clean your teeth between eating and putting your jewelry back in your mouth. This removes food/bacteria stuck between your teeth before replacing the jewelry, lowering risk of cavities. You can read more about aftercare here.