The artist formerly known as Kanye West has undergone a significant transformation, revealing a new set of metallic teeth that are not just for show, but a permanent fixture.
On January 18, a representative for Ye confirmed to TODAY.com that the performer recently had “titanium dentures” installed by Dr. Thomas Connelly, a well-known dentist based in Beverly Hills, California. However, on Friday, a clarification was issued, stating that these are not mere dentures but “permanent titanium teeth.”
A source close to Ye provided further details, explaining that the artist opted for new metal “fixed prosthodontics,” which are far more advanced than veneers or grills. “These are fixed and permanent, as the name implies,” the source said. “Ye’s particular implant is a pioneering approach in dental work, unlike anything done before.”
Ye offered his followers a sneak peek of his new metallic smile via Instagram stories on January 17. The source described the implants as “experimental dentistry, to say the least,” and noted that they were entirely designed by Ye in collaboration with a team of medical and dental professionals, including Dr. Connelly. The source emphasized that Ye did not have his natural teeth removed for the procedure.
The implants, constructed from titanium and other precious metals, including palladium and platinum, were tailored to meet specific functional requirements. According to the source, the combination of metals was chosen based on the unique properties needed for each element.
In another Instagram story, Ye likened his new look to that of the character Jaws, a metal-toothed henchman from the James Bond films “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker,” portrayed by Richard Kiel.
The cost of this bold dental statement is rumored to be around $850,000.
This isn’t Ye’s first venture into elaborate dental work. In 2010, during an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” he revealed that he had replaced his entire bottom row of teeth with diamond and gold implants. “I just thought the diamonds were cooler,” Ye told DeGeneres, as the audience reacted with amusement. A close-up during the segment suggested that Ye’s original teeth were still intact beneath the flashy exterior.
Ye joked that he regularly used toothpaste to clean his jewelry, so it was a natural fit for his dental care. He added that maintaining such intricate work requires frequent visits to the dentist. “It’s just something that rock stars are supposed to do, you know?” he quipped.
DeGeneres, in response, humorously acknowledged, “Oh, I did not realize that.”
In recent years, Ye has made headlines for more than just his music and style. In 2022, he was temporarily suspended from Twitter and Instagram for posting antisemitic content. Despite this, the artist returned to social media platforms and has recently been sharing photos of his rumored wife, Bianca Censori. Ye also shares four children with his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
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