Grills (or grillz) are custom-made decorative covers, often crafted from precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum, that fit over one or more teeth. These accessories serve as jewelry, popularized as a statement piece in hip-hop culture. A dental gap, or diastema, is the space that naturally occurs between two teeth, most commonly between the two upper front teeth. Individuals with a diastema often wonder if they can obtain a grill without compromising the look or fit. This article explores the process and considerations for obtaining a grill when a gap is present.
Customizing Grills for Dental Gaps
It is entirely possible to get a grill that fits a smile with a diastema because the product is always custom-made. The process begins with a professional impression, or mold, of the wearer’s existing teeth structure. This impression captures the exact contours of each tooth, including the precise size and location of the gap.
The specialized jeweler or technician then uses this mold to craft a metal piece that perfectly snaps over the teeth. Since the grill is designed based on a three-dimensional model of the individual’s mouth, it can be precisely engineered to accommodate any existing space. This ensures a secure and comfortable fit, whether the teeth are perfectly aligned or feature a gap.
Design Choices for Diastema Coverage
When designing a grill for a mouth with a gap, the wearer has two primary aesthetic choices that directly affect the final product’s engineering.
Bridging the Gap
One common approach is to bridge or cover the diastema, which involves extending the grill material across the space. This creates a continuous, unified metallic surface that visually closes the gap, giving the illusion of a solid, uninterrupted row of teeth. The design must be meticulously measured to span the distance without pressing into the gum tissue, which could cause irritation or inflammation.
Incorporating the Gap
The second primary option is to incorporate the gap into the design, allowing the natural space to remain visible. This can be achieved by creating two separate grill pieces that fit only the adjacent teeth, or by designing a single piece with a deliberate cutout or a very thin connecting bar. Some designs, known as “gap fillers,” feature a small, decorative metal strip that sits within the gap itself, sometimes adorned with stones. This choice highlights the unique dental structure rather than concealing it.
Hygiene and Long-Term Care Requirements
The presence of a diastema, whether covered or incorporated, introduces specific hygiene concerns that require increased vigilance. Any grill, by its nature, creates additional surfaces and tight margins where food particles and plaque can become trapped between the metal and the tooth enamel. When a gap is involved, the risk of debris accumulation is heightened, especially around the edges of a bridging design or the custom cutouts.
Improper care can lead to serious issues, including localized gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or an increased risk of tooth decay (cavities) beneath the metal. Daily cleaning of the grill is necessary, typically involving a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive solution, avoiding toxic jewelry cleaners. The grill should always be removed before eating to prevent food from becoming lodged against the tooth surface. The natural teeth must also be brushed and flossed rigorously at least twice a day, and regular professional dental check-ups and cleanings are recommended to monitor the health of the teeth and gums.