A strange new cosmetic trend in China is leaving the internet divided. Young people are increasingly opting for dental crowns engraved with motivational phrases like “get rich” and “ensure success”, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The customised caps, also dubbed “tooth tattoos”, are being promoted by dental institutions across the country. Some hospitals even offer them free of charge to attract customers.
An advertisement from a private hospital in Guangdong province read, “Our 3D-printed tooth crowns are made of aerospace materials. They cannot only repair your problematic tooth, but also carry engraved words or patterns. They are uniquely customised for you.”
A hospital staff member told local media that the technology was introduced earlier this year and has since become a popular request. “Many customers flock to our institutions to have things they like engraved. This technology is quite mature now,” the worker said.
The cost of one such dental crown is around 2,000 yuan (Rs 25,000) and hospitals claim the procedure does not affect comfort.
For some, the idea of wearing words on their teeth feels stylish. A woman in Jinan, Shandong province, explained, “It will be so handsome if my tooth displays a character. So I decided to take this service by letting them carve the letter shen, meaning careful in Chinese.”
But dental experts are not impressed. A local dentist warned that engraving on crowns could weaken them and pose risks to oral health. “The crown will be damaged more or less. Its strength will be impaired. I do not recommend patients to adopt the inscription on their crown,” the expert said.
The trend has sparked debate online. Many young Chinese social media users called it “cute” and a fun way to stand out. Others were less enthusiastic, with one user bluntly commenting, “It is disgusting to have a tattoo on your tooth.”