Grillz vs Tooth Gems UK: What's the Difference?
Both grillz and tooth gems add jewellery to your smile. Beyond that, they have almost nothing in common. Here's what each one actually is and how to choose between them.
What Are Tooth Gems?
Tooth gems are small crystals, rhinestones, or semi-precious stones bonded directly to the surface of a tooth using dental adhesive. They're applied by a tooth gem technician — no dental work involved, but the stone sits on the tooth surface for weeks or months until it naturally comes off or is removed.
Most tooth gems are small flat-backed crystals (Swarovski or similar) in a range of colours and shapes — stars, hearts, diamonds. They're placed on the front surface of one or a few visible teeth.
What Are Grillz?
Custom grillz are removable tooth caps — solid gold, silver, or stone-set jewellery pieces made from your dental impression that sit over your teeth and can be removed and replaced freely. They're worn and taken off like any piece of jewellery. See our how grillz are made guide for the full process.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Grillz | Tooth Gems | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Removable metal/stone cap over teeth | Crystal bonded to tooth surface |
| Attached to teeth? | No — removable, sits over teeth | Yes — bonded with dental adhesive |
| Material | Solid gold, silver, VVS stones | Crystal, rhinestone, semi-precious |
| Custom fit | Yes — made from your impression | No — generic placement |
| Reversible | Fully — remove any time | Yes, but adhesive removal required |
| Longevity | Years with proper care | Weeks to months before falling off |
| Cost (starting) | from £65 | from £20–£60 per stone |
| Effect | Full smile transformation | Single-point accent |
| Care | Remove and clean after wear | Clean around fixed stone |
| Available at Ice Jeweller | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
What Can They Each Achieve?
Tooth gems are small accent pieces — a single sparkling point on one tooth. They can be beautiful and understated. What they can't do: cover significant surface area, use genuine high-grade gemstones at meaningful size, or create the continuous surface coverage that grillz produce.
Grillz transform the entire visible tooth surface — from a single tooth to a full top and bottom set. They can incorporate VVS moissanite or lab diamonds across every visible surface, produce complex mixed-metal designs, and are made precisely to your teeth. The visual impact of a custom iced set is categorically different from a tooth gem.
Cost: Grillz vs Tooth Gems
Tooth gems appear cheaper upfront — typically £20–£60 per stone at a technician. However:
- They fall off after weeks to months and need replacing
- The stones used are typically rhinestones or Swarovski crystals (not gemstones)
- There's no custom fitting or bespoke design
Grillz start from £65 for a single solid silver tooth cap. At Ice Jeweller:
| Style | From |
|---|---|
| Single solid silver tooth | from £65 |
| Single open face gold | from £140 |
| 4-tooth row, gold | from £280 |
| Fully iced single tooth | from £120 (silver) |
For full pricing, see our grillz cost guide.
Over time, grillz are significantly better value — they last years with proper care, while tooth gems need replacing repeatedly.
Are Tooth Gems Safe?
Tooth gems bonded with dental-grade adhesive are generally considered safe for the tooth surface when applied correctly and removed professionally. Issues arise from:
- Poor-quality adhesive products
- Gems that trap plaque and food around the bonding area
- Gems left in place too long
Grillz and dental safety: custom-fitted grillz worn correctly (removed before eating, cleaned after wear, not worn overnight) do not damage teeth. See our are grillz bad for your teeth guide.
Which Is Right for You?
Tooth gems might suit you if:
- You want a minimal single-point accent
- You want something semi-permanent (no taking on/off)
- Your budget is very limited
Grillz are the right choice if:
- You want significant coverage — multiple teeth, full rows, iced surfaces
- You want something made from genuine materials (solid gold, real gemstones)
- You want a piece that lasts years and can be worn, removed, and put back on
- You want something custom-fitted to your specific teeth
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both grillz and tooth gems? You could, but grillz sit over the entire tooth surface — a tooth gem underneath a grill isn't visible. You'd typically choose one or the other.
Do tooth gems damage teeth? When applied and removed correctly with appropriate dental adhesive, tooth gems have minimal impact on enamel. Poor-quality bonding or improper removal can cause damage.
Are grillz removable? Yes — custom grillz are fully removable and reusable. This is one of their core advantages over bonded tooth jewellery.
Can I get a very small single-tooth grill instead of a tooth gem? Yes — a single custom gold or silver tooth cap is a popular piece. It's removable, real material, custom-fitted, and lasts indefinitely with care. Starting from £65 in silver, £140 in gold.
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