Artikel: What happens to your tooth when a gem is removed?
What happens to your tooth when a gem is removed?
It is one of the first things people want to know before they commit to a tooth gem, and the answer is reassuring. A Twinkles gem is bonded to the surface of the enamel, never drilled into the tooth, so taking it off is a matter of releasing the bond rather than repairing any damage.
In more than 25 years of supplying dental jewelry worldwide, we have never received a report of a Twinkles gem harming a tooth.
How the removal is done
Removal belongs with a dental professional, and it works much like taking off an orthodontic bracket. The bond is released, any remaining composite is polished away, and the surface is brought back to its natural gloss.
It is a short appointment and there is no pain involved. No anaesthetic is needed, nothing is cut or filed, and you can eat and drink normally straight afterwards. Once the tooth has been polished, no visible mark is left behind.
Why it works this way
Nothing was removed from the tooth when the gem went on. The surface was lightly prepared so the adhesive could grip, the gem was set in place, and the material was hardened with a curing light. The tooth itself was never altered, which is exactly why there is nothing to restore when the gem comes off again.
That is also why the area underneath stays sealed while you wear it. A correctly bonded gem does not leave a gap for bacteria to sit in, and you can brush, floss, eat and have your teeth professionally cleaned exactly as you did before.
It is worth remembering that this only applies to a real, live tooth. Porcelain caps, crowns and veneers are much harder to prepare, so the adhesive generally will not hold on them in the first place.
Why it should not be done at home
Prying a gem off with fingernails or household tools puts pressure on the enamel, and a well bonded gem will not come away easily. If anything, a gem that resists is a sign the bonding was done properly.
Scraping at leftover composite yourself is the bigger risk. It can leave a rough patch on the surface, and rough patches are where plaque starts to collect. A dental professional has the polishing instruments made for exactly this job, and clearing the material takes them minutes.
The same applies if your gem comes off on its own. If there is still composite on the back of it, the piece cannot be re-used, and the material left on the tooth needs to be polished away properly rather than picked at.
Ready for a new one
Most people who have a gem removed are not done with tooth jewelry. They simply want a different shape, a different metal, or the same design placed somewhere else in the smile. There is nothing stopping you from having a new piece bonded at the same appointment, as long as the tooth is clean and healthy.
It is also a natural moment to switch material. If you have been wearing a crystal and want something that lasts longer, solid gold is the obvious step up. If you have worn gold for years and want a change of colour, white gold sits differently against the tooth.
