BEIJING (Kashmir English): A mounting number of young people in China are choosing to have tattoos on their teeth, raising dental health concerns.
According to media reports, while tattoos on the hands, neck, and waist have become outdated, the younger generation in China now choosing to have tattoos on their teeth.
Tattoos are applied not on natural teeth but on dental crowns or tooth caps by using 3D printing technology. The customised caps are then fitted over real teeth.
3D-printed dental crowns
Made from aerospace-grade materials, these 3D-printed dental crowns are different than skin tattoos as they cannot be removed from the teeth.
The customised crowns cost around 2,000 yuan (280 dollars) in various dental clinics across China with young people having romantic symbols, partners’ names, lucky numbers or motivational words engraved on them.
Dental experts, however, have expressed concern over the rising trend, warning it could be harmful to dental health.
A Shanghai dentist opined that engraving letters or designs on dental crowns weakens their strength and is therefore not advisable.
