Just when you thought you had seen a tattoo just about everywhere, somehow someone will surprise you. That’s the nature of the beast. In an industry that has been built around eccentricity, shock factor, and self-expression, it’s no surprise that somebody wanted to lead the way into a new form of tattoo trend . . . and in 2014, that new form was the tooth tattoo.
These tattoos became a rage a few years ago, and while they seem to have lost some of the popularity lately, they’re still going and readily available for the tooth tattoo enthusiast. There are entire websites, such as http://toothartist.com/, dedicated to this teeny-tiny practice, in fact.
So how does it work?
Are you picturing sitting in one of those black leather tattoo chairs, reclined back with a heavily tattooed artist poking away at your tooth with his regular tattoo machine? Sounds worse than a regular trip to the dentist, right? I mean, could you imagine that needle driving into your tooth over and over again?
Despite the name, tooth tattoos are not, in fact, on your actual tooth. There’s no need to visit a tattoo parlor or spend hours in a dental chair to get beautiful art added to your smile. No, it’s much simpler than that. The artwork itself is actually placed on a crown or cap, which is then affixed to your real tooth. Of course, most people don’t get these items jammed into their mouths just for the fun of it—so, these spiffy chompers are really only reserved for those who are already having to visit the dentist.
While that may suck for those of you who are looking to add one to your pearly whites, it does give those who are having to suffer through the ordeal of receiving a cap or crown a perk at the end—a mini-Monet or custom design added to their flashy smile. Makes it a little better, right?
If you find yourself in the dentist’s office waiting to get your smile taken care of and are interested in getting some ink done during the process, expect to pay between $75-$250 for this unique artwork. The dentist will take a tooth impression and create the crown, which will then be sent off to a lab to add the work. Despite the beautiful artsy result, the process is actually quite clinical! Who would have thought?
So now you know about this interesting and quirky trend, let’s talk . . . Would you ever consider getting a tooth tattoo? Are you already sporting one? Or do you really hate the idea? Tell us what you think in the comments below. We’d love to hear if this is a trend that will be sticking around.
