Teeth, the only exposed part of our skeletons, have fascinated people throughout history. And dental fashion has long been a marker of status and beauty.

For thousands of years, starting around 3500BC, people of the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley adorned their teeth with gold and gemstones to signal wealth and spiritual power.

In Japan, ohaguro or tooth blackening, done with an iron solution or plant extracts, was practised for centuries, mostly by women, and symbolised loyalty and maturity. It was banned by the country’s government in the late 19th century.

The European Renaissance that ran from the 14th to the 17th centuries embraced tooth filing, a process in which teeth were sharpened into points.

Whether gilded, sculpted or darkened, teeth have always been more than functional – they have been a canvas to show cultural identity, and a reflection of changing ideals of beauty and prestige.

Fast forward to the third millennium, and we have grillz, also known as grills. These dental accessories are usually made using precious or semi-precious stones encased in gold, and are custom moulded to fit your upper or lower jaw, or both, to make it appear as if your smile is made of these precious elements.