Open Face Grillz: The Complete UK Guide

Open face grillz are consistently one of the most requested styles — and for good reason. They sit at a sweet spot between subtle and statement: noticeable enough to turn heads, refined enough to wear in a wide range of settings. If you're trying to decide whether open face is right for you, this guide covers everything from how the style works to which variations suit different looks.

What Are Open Face Grillz?

Open face grillz — sometimes called "window grillz" or "open-faced" — are designed with a metal frame around the edges of each tooth, leaving the natural tooth surface visible through the centre. Instead of covering the whole tooth, the metal outlines it.

The effect is a row of framed teeth: each one defined by a precise border of gold or silver, with your natural enamel showing in the middle. When you smile or talk, light catches the metal frame and creates a shimmer effect without the solid metal wall of a traditional full-coverage grill.

How Open Face Grillz Are Made

Like all custom grillz, open face pieces start with a dental impression of your teeth. From that impression, each tooth is mapped precisely in CAD software, and the metal frame is designed to follow the exact contour of each tooth's edge — the gum line at the top, the biting edge at the bottom, and the sides.

The frame can be made thicker or thinner depending on the look you want. A wider frame reads bolder and more classic; a very fine frame reads more minimal and jewellery-like. Your CAD preview lets you see and adjust this before anything is cast.

Open Face Variations

Open face isn't a single fixed look — there are several variations that produce quite different results:

1. Standard Open Face

The classic version: a consistent metal border around all visible edges of each tooth. Clean, balanced, and the most popular starting point for the style. Works well as a single tooth or a full row.

2. Open Face with Stone Trim

A metal frame with small stones (lab diamonds or moissanite) set along the top edge or around the border. This adds sparkle to the frame without committing to a full bustdown design — a popular choice for those who want some ice without going all-in.

3. Cutout / Shaped Window

Rather than a simple rectangular opening, the window in the metal is shaped — a heart, diamond, star, or custom symbol cut into the face of the grill. The tooth shows through the cutout, creating a design element that reads differently at different distances.

4. Open Face with Drip / Fang Edge

The bottom edge of the frame extends into a point or drip shape at the canine or front teeth — combining the open face look with an edge of the fang/drip aesthetic. Popular for those who want personality without going fully gothic or dramatic.

5. Two-Tone Open Face

The frame is made in two metals — for example, yellow gold on the outer border and white gold on an inner line, or rose gold frame with silver interior detail. Adds depth and pairs well with mixed-metal jewellery collections.

Open Face vs Solid Grillz: Which Is Right for You?

Open face tends to work particularly well as a single tooth or partial row — the framing effect is subtle enough that it reads as jewellery rather than full grillz, making it easier to wear day-to-day. For a full row, it creates a more restrained, editorial look compared to the same row in solid.

For a full breakdown of all grillz styles, see our complete grillz style guide.

Why Open Face Is So Popular for Women's Grillz

Open face has become one of the go-to styles in women's grillz specifically because of how it interacts with a smile. The frame defines the tooth without covering it, which means your natural teeth remain visible — the effect is closer to wearing tooth jewellery than wearing a metal appliance. For those who want shine without dramatically changing how their smile looks, open face is the most natural transition.

It also pairs well with coloured stone trims — pink, clear, or rainbow moissanite along the border creates a piece that coordinates with other jewellery rather than overpowering it. See our women's grillz guide for more on this.

Which Metal Works Best for Open Face?

All metals work well for open face designs, but each gives a different result:

Yellow Gold (10K/14K) — Warm, classic, high-contrast against most skin tones. The gold frame against natural enamel is one of the most recognisable grillz looks.

White Gold — A cooler, brighter finish that sits closer to silver in tone. Pairs well with diamond or clear moissanite trim for an icy, modern look.

Rose Gold — The softest, most wearable option. Rose gold open face designs have become particularly popular as an everyday piece, especially for women's grillz.

925 Silver — The most affordable entry point and the most popular for first open face pieces. The silver frame gives a clean, contemporary look and holds its shine well with regular cleaning.

How Many Teeth?

Open face works across all tooth counts, but the look scales differently:

Single tooth — The most subtle version. A single open face front tooth reads as a flash of metal detail rather than a full grill, and is one of the most wearable options for daily use.

4–6 teeth — The most popular range for open face. Covers the teeth most visible in a normal smile, giving enough presence to be the focal point without covering the full row.

Full row (8–10 teeth) — A complete open face set creates a refined, editorial look — more controlled than a full solid or bustdown, but still a strong statement piece.

For help deciding on coverage, see our grillz sizing guide.

Pricing for Open Face Grillz

Open face designs are priced similarly to solid grillz, as the crafting process is comparable. Adding stone trim (for open face with stone border) adds to the cost depending on the stone type and count.

For a complete pricing breakdown across all styles and materials, see our grillz price guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are open face grillz less noticeable than solid grillz? In a relative sense, yes — the natural tooth is visible through the centre, so the piece reads as framing rather than full coverage. But open face grillz are still clearly visible and still make a statement. They're not designed to be invisible.

Can I get stones on an open face grill? Yes. Stone trim along the border — lab diamonds, moissanite, or coloured stones — is one of the most popular open face variations. The stones are set into the metal frame rather than flooding the tooth surface.

Is open face harder to keep clean than solid grillz? Not significantly. The inner edges of the frame can collect build-up if not cleaned regularly, but the same cleaning routine (soft brush, mild soap, rinse after each wear) applies to all grillz styles. See our cleaning guide for specifics.

Can I mix open face with other styles (e.g. fangs)? Yes — styles can be combined in a single custom piece. For example, an open face row with fang extensions at the canines, or a partial row mixing open face and solid teeth. Your CAD preview will show exactly how the combination looks before anything is made.

Does the metal frame affect the feel of open face grillz? Because only the border of each tooth is covered (not the full surface), there's less metal in contact with your teeth overall. Many people find open face designs feel slightly lighter and less present in the mouth than full-coverage solid grillz.

Order Your Open Face Grillz

Every Ice Jeweller open face piece is custom-designed from your dental impression, CAD-previewed before production, and crafted in solid gold or silver — with a free impression kit and free UK delivery.

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