Cosmetic dentistry is a profitable industry in the U.S. Some Americans spend tens of thousands of dollars just to get “the perfect smile.†Recently in Japan, however, a new dental craze is taking on cosmetic dentistry—dental work that makes teeth appear crooked. Due to the lack of orthodontists in Japan, having a mouth full of crooked teeth is common. Some social circles find it desirable. A representative from Dental Salon Plaisir, a Ginza-based dental clinic, was quoted saying that its Tsuke-yaeba—or Stick-on Crooked Teeth—will provide a desirable “imperfect†look to both men and women, making them more attractive to the opposite sex. Some believe that people with this look are more easily approachable than those with classic beauty. A Tsuke-yaeba treatment costs around ¥30,000 ($390). During the short procedure, a custom-made artificial tooth is attached to the real tooth with a non-permanent adhesive. The artificial tooth is affixed mostly to the canines, lengthening the teeth to make them stand out.
