In China, a new dental fad is giving tattoos a stranger canvas. Instead of showing off inked arms or legs, young people are now flashing tooth tattoos—AKA dental crowns.

The process is less extreme than it sounds. Designs aren’t carved into enamel but etched onto 3D-printed crowns that fit over natural teeth. A smile might showcase a partner’s initials, a lucky number, or a phrase like “getting rich.” Since the crowns can be swapped out at any time, they function more like removable accessories than lifelong marks.

What began as an option for patients already getting crowns has turned into a style statement. Large dental clinics have started advertising tooth tattoos as part of their services, sometimes even offering them as a free upgrade. Why have a boring crown that looks like a plain

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