Grillz are one of the most distinctive accessories in hip-hop culture — and one of the most misunderstood. Here's everything you need to know: what they are, where they came from, the different styles available, and how to order a custom set.
What Are Grillz?
Grillz (also spelled "grills") are decorative covers worn over the teeth, typically made from precious metals like gold or silver and often set with diamonds or other stones. They fit over the teeth like a retainer — removable, worn for aesthetic expression. They are not permanent dental work.
A Brief History
Decorative tooth jewelry dates back thousands of years — ancient Mayans inlaid jade and pyrite into their teeth; Etruscans used gold bands. In the modern US, gold tooth caps ("gold fronts") were common in African-American communities in the American South from the early 20th century.
The contemporary grillz aesthetic emerged in hip-hop culture in the 1980s in New York and Atlanta. Artists including Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick wore gold fronts as status symbols. The style exploded nationally in 2005 when Nelly released the song "Grillz," making the accessory mainstream. Since then, Lil Wayne, Post Malone, Cardi B, and countless others have kept grillz a defining accessory of hip-hop culture.
The Main Types of Grillz
By Coverage Style
- Open Face: A metal frame around each tooth with the natural tooth visible through the center. Creates a "windowed" effect — gold frames, natural tooth showing. More subtle than full coverage.
- Solid / Capped: Full coverage of each tooth surface. The entire visible area is metal and/or stones.
- Brace Style: A connected piece covering all teeth simultaneously, similar in structure to a dental retainer. Most stable option for performance.
- Fang / Vampire: Extended canine covers with a pointed fang shape. Popular in alternative and hip-hop contexts.
By Stone and Finish
- Iced Out (Diamond / Moissanite): Full stone coverage across all surfaces — the classic "blinging" grillz.
- Diamond Dust: Micro-fine stone particles applied across the surface for an all-over shimmer without individual stone settings.
- Diamond Cut: Geometric facets engraved directly into the metal for a textured, reflective surface without stones.
- Opal: Color-shifting opal stones for iridescent, rainbow-like color.
- Enamel: Colorful enamel applied for graphic or artistic designs.
- Tri-Tone / Multi-Tone: Multiple metal colors on the same set.
How the Custom Grillz Process Works
All quality grillz are custom-made to fit your specific teeth. The process:
- Place your order and select your style, metal, and stone options.
- Receive a dental impression kit shipped to your address.
- Complete your impression at home using the provided materials (takes about 10 minutes).
- Return the impression to the jeweler.
- Your grillz are hand-fabricated to match your exact tooth shape.
- Your completed grillz ship to you.
Materials and Pricing
| Material | Starting Price (6-tooth set) |
|---|---|
| 925 Sterling Silver + VVS Moissanite | From $280 |
| 925 Silver + Custom Finish (Enamel / Diamond Dust) | From $360 |
| 10K Solid Gold | From $800 |
| 14K–18K Solid Gold | From $1,200+ |
Browse Bornreal's custom grillz collection or contact us directly to start the custom order process.