What You Should Know Before Getting Tooth Gems

How Do You Clean Your Teeth With Tooth Gems?

You can continue to brush and floss as you normally do after getting a tooth gem. Like with braces, it’s important to keep the area around the tooth gem clean. “The gem essentially becomes part of the tooth, kind of like traditional braces or a filling, and you don't brush fillings any differently than you brush your teeth,” says Dr. Huang. “Just remember to bring the toothbrush to the face of the teeth and brush in circular motions.”

How Do You Remove Tooth Gems?

Similar to the application process, tooth gems should only be removed by a professional — otherwise you run the risk of damaging the enamel of your teeth. “I've had patients come in after they’ve tried to take them off, and we had to fix the tooth because the enamel came off and it didn't look the same anymore,” she says. “It's just not worth the headache [to remove them yourself].”

To remove the gems, Dr. Huang uses a drill that essentially polishes the gem and bonding off the tooth. “The whole process is similar to removing braces,” she says. Tooth gem removal takes more time than the application because it won’t simply pop off. It requires extra care and precision to safely remove the gem and remaining bonding without damaging the enamel. That said, the procedure shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes. 

How Much Do Tooth Gems Cost?

The cost of tooth gems varies by location and gem type. Some cosmetic dentistry practices, like La Belles, supply gems, but you can also bring your own in. “At our practice, the application is about $500 plus the price of the gem(s),” says Dr. Huang. 

The gems themselves don’t have to be pricey. Though Dr. Huang regularly applies gold, diamond or platinum gems, you can also find gems made from more affordable materials like acrylic and cubic zirconia.