Why does Mike Tyson wear gold teeth, and did he ever close the gap between his front teeth? Those two questions drive most searches for Mike Tyson teeth. The first has an answer in his own words: in a Rolling Stone interview he said he had the gold fitted at 17 with the first real money he made. About the gap, there is no public statement from him.
In this article from Prof Clinic we look at what Tyson said about the gold, what the photos show, when a gap between the front teeth is a problem, what boxing does to teeth and how a lost tooth is replaced.
What Did Mike Tyson Say About His Gold Teeth?
Tyson said he had his gold teeth fitted at 17 with the first real money he made, and called gold “a sign of affluence”. The Rolling Stone writer had seen the gold flash in the sunlight and asked whether he meant it as a statement.
Mike Tyson’s teeth in two photographs, one with gold teeth and one showing the gap between his front teeth.
He didn’t say what was under the gold. It could be a gold crown, cemented over a tooth shaped to hold it, which is a real restoration, or a grill, a removable cover that slips over the teeth. Tyson didn’t say which he had, or whether the teeth underneath were healthy or damaged.
Did a Tiger Really Knock Out His Gold Teeth?
In 2013, FanSided reported that Tyson told the talk show Conan that his pet tiger knocked out his gold teeth when he tried to kiss it, because “her head is like concrete”. It was a story told on a talk show, and no dental record has been published to support it.
Did Tyson Close the Gap Between His Teeth, and Is a Gap a Problem?
There is nothing to suggest he did. The space between his upper front teeth shows in photos with and without the gold, and dentists call it a diastema. It has become as much a part of his face as the facial tattoo. You’ll read online that it was closed and later reopened, or that the gold was replaced with tooth-coloured work, but no dentist, date or statement from Tyson backs that up, so don’t take it as fact. We have also left out dentists’ opinions on his photos, because a photo shows what a smile looks like, not why.
Tyson smiling with a visible space between his upper front teeth.
A close-up of Tyson’s smile at an event, with the gap between his upper teeth in view.
When Is a Gap a Problem, and How Is It Closed?
Usually it isn’t. The Cleveland Clinic describes a gap between the upper front teeth as a normal variation that affects people of all ages and doesn’t usually harm oral health. It often runs in families. Other causes are teeth that are small for the space, a thick band of tissue between the lip and the gum, and habits such as clenching or pressing the tongue against the front teeth. The exception is a gap that is new or changing, which can be a sign of gum disease and is worth showing to a dentist.
If you want a gap closed, there are four main options:
- Bonding: your dentist applies tooth-coloured resin to fill the space.
- Porcelain veneers: thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of the teeth.
- Braces or clear aligners: they move the teeth together, which suits larger gaps.
- Frenectomy: a small procedure that releases a thick band of tissue pushing the teeth apart, often combined with bonding or veneers.
If a missing tooth is the cause, a bridge, implant or crown is the answer instead. So, is a gap a problem? For most people, no, as long as it isn’t new or changing.
Read as well: Michael Strahan Teeth: Did He Ever Close His Gap?
What Does Boxing Do to Teeth, and How Is a Lost Tooth Replaced?
The American Dental Association lists boxing among the higher-risk sports for the mouth, with damage ranging from chipped teeth to teeth knocked out. No report describes Tyson’s own injuries. If an adult tooth is knocked out, the ADA’s advice is:
- Keep the tooth moist.
- Put it back in the socket if you can, without touching the root.
- Get to a dentist straight away.
To prevent it, the ADA recommends a mouthguard custom made by your dentist.
If a tooth can’t be saved, replacing it is routine today, and there are three ways to do it. An implant is a post in the jaw that carries a crown. A bridge ties a false tooth to its neighbours and means cutting into good tooth structure, which an implant avoids. A removable denture needs no surgery but may need adjusting over time.
The good news is that implants work well in healthy mouths: Cambridge University Hospitals reports success rates of 80 to 95 percent over 15 years. Its patient leaflet also gives the timeline. Smokers stop at least six months beforehand, the bone takes three to six months to bond to the post, and a graft, when needed, adds at least four months.
Don’t wait too long. A review in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association describes a 12-month study in which the bone ridge lost about half its width after an extraction, two-thirds of it in the first three months. An early assessment keeps more options open.
Tyson smiling in a dimly lit photograph, with his upper teeth visible.
Read as well: Roman Reigns Teeth: Ring Damage, Repairs and Smile Today
Prof Clinic: Dental Implants in Istanbul, Turkey
Our dental implants in Turkey are planned from 3D imaging, and crowns 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bone volume | Height and width of the jaw on a 3D scan | Decides whether an implant can go in directly or needs a graft first |
| Gum health | Signs of inflammation or gum disease | Inflamed gums put an implant at risk, so they are treated first |
| Neighbouring teeth | Condition and position of the teeth either side | Shows whether a bridge would mean cutting healthy teeth |
| Medical history | Smoking, diabetes and medication | Can slow healing and change the timing of treatment |
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.
Mike Tyson’s Teeth: Your Questions Answered
1. Why does Mike Tyson have gold teeth?
He told Rolling Stone he had them fitted at 17 with his first real money, and called gold a sign of affluence.
2. Did Mike Tyson close the gap between his teeth?
There is no public record that he did. The gap shows in many photos, and the claim that it was closed and reopened has no dentist or date behind it.
3. Is a gap between the front teeth a problem?
Usually not. The Cleveland Clinic calls it a normal variation. See a dentist if the gap is new or changing.
4. How long can you wait to replace a lost tooth?
There is no deadline, but sooner is easier. The bone starts shrinking soon after an extraction, mostly in the first three months, so an early assessment keeps more options open.
Medical note: Interviews and photos can’t show whether any treatment lies behind a smile. Mike Tyson has no known connection to Prof Clinic, and his dental appearance should not be read as a Prof Clinic case.
References / Sources
- Cleveland Clinic — Diastema
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) — Mouthguards
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) — Dental Emergencies
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) — Dental Implants
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS — Dental implants in restorative dentistry
- Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, vol. 72, no. 10 — socket preservation review
- FanSided — Mike Tyson says pet tiger knocked his teeth out trying to kiss it
- Rolling Stone — Mike Tyson: Lord of the Ring
