I just saw this crazy video of Will Smith getting his teeth knocked out by Jason Derulo. Will posted it online and Derulo responded with “I know a good dentist … text me back.” Is that for real?!? I’ve seen pics of Will since and his teeth look ok. How would a dentist even fix that?
-T
Dear T,
Ah, the infamous Smith and Derulo golf video. It went viral a while back, but for those who missed it, it’s posted below.
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Derulo has become somewhat known for his social media antics. You can see Smith allegedly taking Derulo’s ear off with a drone in this one.
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This isn’t even Derulo’s first video about lost teeth.
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And, it’s not the first time the pair has posted something obviously fake.
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These Are Likely Fakes
While some point to their apparent lack of pain in the videos as evidence as a fake, that’s not necessarily a smoking gun. Certain types of dental work, such as previous root canals, could leave those teeth without sensation. That means they might not feel pain if they were broken later. But, given the fact that both stars have a history of producing edited videos for social media and seemed quite lighthearted about the whole affair after, it’s far more likely this was just some great video editing and acting.
Word of Caution: Don’t Try That at Home
It hopefully goes without saying, but if those events were real, they’d be incredibly dangerous. Even duplicating them as stunts could be dangerous. Don’t try to copy them for any reason.
How Would a Dentist Repair Similar Damage?
Each case is different. A dentist would need to perform an exam and have x-rays to make a proper diagnosis. However, if this case had been real, several treatments might have been effective.
Dental Implants
The ideal repair would probably be dental implants. They’re often selected when a tooth is entirely missing or the remaining portion of the tooth cannot be saved. They tend to be the best missing tooth replacement because they mimic natural teeth in form and function. The implant, itself, serves as a root, and a false tooth sits on top.
Veneers or Crowns
With partially broken teeth, veneers or crowns could be options depending on how the tooth broke and how much broke off. Veneers would be more ideal for slight chips, as they’re designed to cover just the front of the tooth and hug the sides a bit. Crowns, on the other hand, offer full coverage around the tooth and allow the dentist to build it back up if a portion is missing.
Bridges or Partials
Bridges and partial dentures are missing tooth replacements that can serve as affordable alternatives to implants. Bridges include crowns on either side of the missing tooth, with a false tooth in the middle. A partial denture works more like a retainer with false teeth attached. Of the solutions outlined here, partials are the only removable option.
This blog is sponsored by Auburn, AL dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.