Tooth gems 101: cost, safety, how long they last

Tooth gems are the fastest way to add sparkle you cannot lose in a drawer: a tiny crystal bonded to the front of a tooth that catches the light every time you smile. Here is everything people ask before booking, from what it costs to whether it hurts your enamel.

What a tooth gem actually is

A tooth gem is a small crystal attached to the surface of your tooth with a dental-grade bonding agent, the same kind of adhesive orthodontists use for braces brackets. Nothing is drilled, nothing is cut, and the gem sits on top of the enamel, not in it.

How much tooth gems cost in Salt Lake City

At GLAMSTHETICS SLC:

• Tooth Gems: $25+ for a single crystal (30 min). The price goes up with larger crystals, clusters and multiple teeth.
• Butterfly Tooth Gem: $65 for a multi-gem butterfly design shaped across the tooth (40 min).
• Disco Tooth: $80 for a full tooth covered in crystals, maximum sparkle (40 min).

Bring a reference photo or pick from the tray in the studio. Placement is usually a front tooth, a lateral incisor or a canine, wherever it catches light when you smile.

Are tooth gems safe?

Applied properly, yes. The key words are applied properly:

• Dental-grade bond, cured with a light. The adhesive is designed to sit on enamel for months and be polished off cleanly. It is not nail glue or super glue.
• No drilling. The surface is cleaned, dried and lightly prepped so the bond holds. The enamel underneath is untouched.
• Professional removal. When you want it off, a dentist polishes the bond away in a few minutes. Do not pry it off at home; that is how people chip enamel.

What is not safe: DIY kits with hobby glue, gems applied over untreated cavities or damaged enamel, and picking at the gem with your nails. If you have any active dental issues, get those handled first. A tooth gem is cosmetic, not a dental treatment, and this article is not dental advice.

Does it hurt?

No. There are no nerves on the surface of enamel. You will feel the tooth being cleaned and dried, a little pressure while the gem is placed, and the curing light. Most people are surprised by how quick and uneventful it is.

How long do tooth gems last?

Typically six months to a year, and some last well past a year. What changes the lifespan:

• Placement. Gems on a flat, smooth spot of a front tooth last longest. Placements near the biting edge take more abuse.
• The first 24 hours. Skip eating for about an hour after, and avoid sticky, crunchy or very hard foods for the rest of the day while the bond fully sets.
• Habits. Nail biting, pen chewing, opening things with your teeth and crunching ice all shorten the life of a gem.
• Brushing. Brush and floss normally with a soft brush. Just avoid pressing an electric toothbrush head directly onto the gem.

If a gem comes off early, text the studio and we will get you back in.

Braces, veneers, crowns and whitening

Gems bond best to natural enamel. They can often be applied to veneers or crowns, but they may not last as long. If you have braces, wait until they are off. Planning to whiten? Whiten first, then add the gem, because the spot under the gem will not lighten.

What to do before your appointment

• Brush and floss like normal; a clean, plaque-free tooth bonds better.
• Skip lip products right before (it is a small workspace).
• Decide on placement and design, or bring photos. Clear crystal is the classic; ask what colors and shapes are on the tray.

Ready to sparkle?

Tooth gems take about half an hour, pair perfectly with a lash fill, and the studio is gender-neutral and LGBTQ+ friendly, so everyone is welcome to shine. See tooth gem prices and book, or text (801) 875-9677 with a photo of the look you want.