Bling alert!

Made with crystal or sculpted from metal, new age dental tattoos come in the form of funky images which are carved on the tooth or crown.

There are two types of dental tattoos

- Temporary
- Permanent

Temporary tattoos, in the form of crystals or images, are fixed with a special type of adhesive on the tooth surface, much like an orthodontic bracket. People opt for it to enhance their smile! Harmless as they are, such tattoos can be removed easily.  The crystals are branded, but the images carved out of metals such as gold or titanium are usually customised in a dental lab after the dentist takes tooth measurements.  Such tattoos cost anywhere between Rs 2000 and Rs 10,000.

Permanent tattoos are not so common yet. The design that’s selected is drilled into the tooth. Such a tattoo can only fill in as a top layer of composite filling that is done today. If used with discretion, it can cause no harm and can turn an unpleasant filling experience to bearable one! But ask yourself if you would allow your dentist to slice your healthy tooth just so that you can get yourself a tattoo! As a doctor, I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you need a crown or a laminate, a tattoo could come as a bonus. A permanent dental tattoo can cost between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.

While ‘stars’, ‘apples’ and ‘angels’ are popular tattoo designs among young women, men tend to choose ‘skulls’ or geometric patterns. Just make sure you visit the right practitioner when you decide to get your pearly whites enhanced with tattoo art. Here
are a few things you need to keep in mind:

- Plaque can form around the tattoo, which can lead to tooth decay.
- The enamel of the tooth is a highly polished surface and if tattooing or stone-studding is not done professionally, it can cause dental caries.
- The chemical used in tattoos is not completely safe.

If you want to flaunt your tattooed teeth, then don’t forget to exercise basic precautionary measures.