Three-time darts world champion Michael van Gerwen is a fan favorite, renowned for both his impeccable skill and infectious smile. He was widely tipped to secure a fourth title in January 2024 but faced an unexpected quarter-final exit at Ally Pally, where he was beaten 5-3 by England’s Scott Williams. Williams later lost to Luke Humphries, the eventual champion.
The Dutchman’s defeat came as he was dealing with significant jaw pain following a failed dental surgery in the summer of 2023. However, van Gerwen underwent another operation in 2024 and returned to action in August, claiming the Players Championship 21 in Wigan just a month later.
Now, van Gerwen has battled his way to another final, but his appearance has noticeably changed, a result of the ongoing treatments he has been undergoing to correct a serious dental issue.
Van Gerwen had been suffering from an underbite, a condition where the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw, affecting his bite, sleep, and even his ability to breathe properly. In 2023, he explained, “My upper jaw is too small, which makes it difficult for me to bite properly. It also causes headaches, poor sleep, and impacts my overall health.”
The surgery involved breaking and repositioning both his upper and lower jaws. His upper jaw was moved forward by six millimeters, while the lower jaw was adjusted backward by three millimeters. Van Gerwen’s underbite, which caused discomfort when eating—like not being able to properly bite through a slice of ham—was becoming increasingly problematic.
“For me, it’s not a big deal, though it was necessary,” van Gerwen remarked. “I’ve been dealing with it for so long that it had to happen. I’m optimistic that this will solve my issues, and I’m looking forward to feeling better.”
Although van Gerwen is now nearing the end of his lengthy treatment plan, he continues to face discomfort. Despite this, he has shown remarkable resilience, with a recent World Series win over Jonny Clayton. However, he admitted that the pain still impacts his performances. “Even with a great average, I’ve had games where I lost despite playing well,” he shared. “When you’re not feeling right, it becomes harder, but it’s part of the process.”
Van Gerwen also compared the discomfort he felt from his surgery to a root canal, emphasizing that the pain was significant but manageable. “It’s a lot less painful than what I went through before,” he explained.
Despite the ongoing recovery, van Gerwen powered through his quarter-final and semi-final matches, beating Callan Rydz 5-3 and Chris Dobey 6-1, respectively, to book his place in the final. He remains focused on overcoming his physical struggles and chasing another title.
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