Rising trend of tattoos on teeth raises dental health concerns

11 October 2025

A growing number of young people in China are choosing to have tattoos on their teeth, prompting concerns over dental health. Foreign media report that while tattoos on the hands, waist and neck have become outdated, the younger generation in China now prefers tattoos on their teeth.

These tattoos are applied not on natural teeth but on dental crowns or tooth caps created using 3D printing technology. The customised caps are then fitted over real teeth.

Made from aerospace-grade materials, these 3D-printed dental crowns differ from skin tattoos as they cannot be removed from the teeth.

The customised crowns cost around 2,000 yuan (280 dollars) in various dental clinics across China. Young people are having romantic symbols, partners’ names, lucky numbers or motivational words engraved on them.

Dental experts have expressed concern over the trend, warning it could be harmful to dental health.

A dentist in Shanghai explained that engraving letters or designs on dental crowns weakens their strength and is therefore not advisable.