Did David Bowie have his teeth fixed, and when did his smile change? Those two questions drive most searches for David Bowie teeth. The first has an answer in music-press coverage of a sculpture of his natural teeth by the artist Jessine Hein: Diffuser wrote that he later upgraded to a straight, white smile. On the second, no statement from Bowie or a dentist gives a date or says what was done.
In this article from Prof Clinic we look back at what the press said about Bowie’s natural teeth, how sources date the change, the difference between a crown and a veneer and what fitting crowns involves.
What Was Said About David Bowie’s Natural Teeth?
On 5 January 2015 the German artist Jessine Hein showed a set of teeth she had hand-sculpted in denture acrylics, plaster and acrylic paint. Diffuser described it as a close recreation of Bowie’s natural teeth before he upgraded to a straight, white smile.
David Bowie in two photographs taken years apart, one with swept blond hair and one smiling in a striped jacket.
Vice reported that Hein modelled the teeth by hand from a large number of photographs, not from an impression of his mouth, and called the result a near-perfect match for his old incisors. The “before” in this story is therefore an artist’s reconstruction from photographs. Neither piece says what treatment Bowie had or when.
When Did David Bowie’s Smile Change, and Was It Crowns or Veneers?
No source gives a date, and the ones that try disagree. Vanyaland places an upgrade around 1980, ahead of the Let’s Dance album, and a second one before his marriage to Iman in 1992. Grunge dates a complete fix to the mid-1990s and cites a 2005 television programme. Neither names a dentist or a record, so we give no date. Crowns, veneers and whitening are all named online, but nothing ties Bowie to any one of them, and a photo shows what a smile looks like, not why.
A close-up of David Bowie smiling at an event.
David Bowie in two portraits, one with swept blond hair and one with long hair and round tinted glasses.
Crown or Veneer: What Is the Difference?
The Cleveland Clinic calls veneers cosmetic and crowns restorative. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap, and the American Dental Association says you may need one to restore a tooth’s normal shape and size, to strengthen a tooth with a large filling, to protect a weak tooth from breaking, to repair a broken tooth or to cover discoloured or badly shaped teeth. A veneer is a custom-made covering for the front of a tooth. Both ask something of the tooth underneath:
- Crown: the dentist removes a small amount of enamel so the permanent crown fits and stays bonded.
- Veneer: the ADA says enamel is removed to place a porcelain veneer, so the treatment is not reversible, and a veneer can chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time.
- Limits: the ADA says veneers may not be a good choice if you clench or grind your teeth or have a deep overbite, and any decay or gum disease must be treated first.
So which one? It depends on how much healthy tooth is left and what you want to change, and your dentist decides after an examination.
Read as well: Did Freddie Mercury Really Have Extra Teeth?
What Is Involved in Getting Crowns, and How Long Do They Last?
The Cleveland Clinic describes three stages:
- The dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the tooth.
- The crown is made in a lab, which takes two to three weeks and sometimes longer, and a temporary crown, usually resin or acrylic, protects the tooth in the meantime.
- The permanent crown is fitted and bonded in place.
A vintage printed photograph of David Bowie in round tinted glasses.
Some sensitivity, especially to heat and cold, is normal for a couple of weeks. Crowns last between five and 15 years with proper care. They can break or fracture over time, and a crown that doesn’t fit properly can trap bacteria and lead to decay. To protect it, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and ask your dentist about a custom mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth.
Read as well: Shane MacGowan Teeth: Before and After the Restoration
Prof Clinic: Dental Crowns in Istanbul, Turkey
Our dental crowns and veneers in Turkey are planned from 3D imaging and digital smile design, using E-max and zirconia, and implants and whitening are done at the same clinic, so your case isn’t passed between providers. Our coordination team answers your questions on WhatsApp and handles follow-up once you’re home. Before recommending anything, we check:
| Factor | What we assess | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth condition | Existing fillings, cracks and wear | Decides between a crown, which restores a tooth, and a veneer, which changes its appearance |
| Tooth structure | How much healthy enamel and tooth is left | Both crowns and veneers need some enamel removed, so what remains limits the options |
| Bite and grinding | Clenching, grinding and how the teeth meet | Affects the choice of material and how long the work lasts |
| Gum health | Signs of inflammation or gum disease | Decay and gum disease are treated before any restoration |
| Shade and material | E-max or zirconia, matched to the neighbouring teeth | Decides how natural the result looks next to your own teeth |
Every case is different, so we plan each one separately. If you’d like our opinion on your own mouth, send an X-ray or photos through our contact page, or see real cases in the Before & After gallery.
David Bowie’s Teeth: Your Questions Answered
1. Did David Bowie have his teeth fixed?
Diffuser wrote that he later upgraded to a straight, white smile. No statement from Bowie or a dentist says what was done or when.
2. Did David Bowie have crowns or veneers?
No source says which. Online accounts name crowns, veneers and whitening, but none comes from Bowie or a dentist.
3. What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown is a cap that restores a tooth, while a veneer covers the front of a tooth for cosmetic reasons. The ADA and the Cleveland Clinic both say enamel is removed to place them.
4. How long does a crown last, and how long does it take to make?
The Cleveland Clinic gives five to 15 years with proper care. The lab takes two to three weeks, sometimes longer, and a temporary crown protects the tooth until then.
Medical note: Interviews and photos can’t show whether any treatment lies behind a smile. David Bowie has no known connection to Prof Clinic, and his dental appearance should not be read as a Prof Clinic case. Bowie died on 10 January 2016, and we have written about his smile with respect.
References / Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) — Crowns
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) — Veneers
- Cleveland Clinic — Dental crowns
- Diffuser — An Artist Made a Sculpture of David Bowie’s Natural Teeth
- Vice — It’s Art: David Bowie’s Dentures
- Vanyaland — Space Cavity: A German artist has created dentures of David Bowie’s original teeth
- Grunge — The Truth About David Bowie’s Teeth
- Al Jazeera — British music legend David Bowie dies, aged 69
