What tooth jewellery is
Tooth jewellery is a small crystal or fine gold piece bonded to the outer surface of a tooth, most often a lateral incisor or canine in the upper jaw. It is also known under product names such as Skyce. It is a purely cosmetic detail, comparable to a discreet piece of jewellery that is visible when you speak or smile.
The crystals come in various sizes and colours, from clear to coloured, alongside gold options. They sit flat on the enamel and barely stand out. The effect is deliberately understated: a small accent, not an attention-grabbing feature.
How it is applied
Applying it is non-invasive and takes only a few minutes. The tooth is not drilled, and no hole and no cavity is created. Instead, the piece is fixed with an adhesive technique, the same one used to place fillings and braces.
The procedure in brief:
- Cleaning. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned so that the adhesive bonds properly.
- Surface preparation. A small area of the enamel is briefly roughened so that the bond holds. This affects only the outermost layer of enamel.
- Bonding. The piece is placed with an adhesive and set with a curing light.
- Check. Finally, we check the fit and smooth away any excess adhesive.
Because no tooth substance is removed, the procedure is gentle and usually possible without anaesthetic.
Is it safe for the tooth
Applied and removed correctly, tooth jewellery does not harm the tooth. The adhesive and the crystal rest on the enamel, and the tooth substance is preserved. What matters is a clean application and, above all, the care that follows.
What to watch for:
- Clean edges. Plaque can gather more easily at the join between the piece and the tooth. If it is not removed, the risk of decay or gum irritation at that spot rises over time.
- Correct placement. The piece should sit so that it does not interfere with biting and does not get in the way of cleaning.
- An intact tooth as the base. A healthy tooth without decay or a filling at the planned spot is the sensible choice.
Regular dental hygiene is therefore more than cosmetic: it keeps the area around the piece monitored and removes plaque that is harder to reach at home.
How long it lasts and how it is removed
How long tooth jewellery lasts cannot be predicted exactly. A range of a few months to several years is typical. Its durability depends on its position on the tooth, the load while eating and how it is cared for. If it comes off sooner, that is not a problem: it can be re-bonded without any harm to the tooth.
Removal is gentle too and possible at any time. The piece is detached and the adhesive residue is carefully polished away until the enamel surface is smooth again. No visible mark, no hole and no indentation is left behind. Tooth jewellery therefore remains a choice that can easily be reversed.
Everyday care
Tooth jewellery needs no special care, just your usual routine with an extra eye on the edge:
- Brush gently around the piece, so that no plaque settles there.
- Daily cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes, as you would anyway.
- No hard loads, such as chewing on pens or opening packaging with your teeth, because the piece can come off.
- Regular checks at your dental hygiene appointment, so the fit and edge stay monitored.
Which brush suits your daily cleaning is covered in our toothbrush comparison.
Who it suits
Tooth jewellery suits anyone who would like a small, discreet accent, provided the tooth concerned is healthy. It makes sense on a tooth without decay and without a filling at the planned spot. If there is gum inflammation or a raised risk of decay, we clarify this beforehand and treat the cause first.
If you are hoping for a visibly lighter tooth colour, it helps to know that tooth jewellery does not change the colour of the teeth. If you would like to combine both, it makes sense to plan teeth whitening before the piece is applied, so that the lightening works evenly.
Why professional rather than at home
Home bonding kits are sold in shops. We advise against them. Without professional cleaning and surface preparation the piece holds less well, and unsuitable adhesives can damage the enamel or trap plaque and bacteria. Removal at home also carries the risk of damaging the tooth surface.
In the practice we work with suitable materials, check the fit and ensure clean, decay-free conditions. That keeps tooth jewellery a small cosmetic detail that does not harm the tooth. If this interests you, book an appointment. We will discuss with you whether and how it can be done.