Don't lie. You know you wanted a Princess Alberta when you were in 7th grade.

I agree. When I was growing up, I was not expected to conform and dressed however I wanted, which was really, well, out there for a few years. Personally, I would prefer that kids have the opportunity to do the same now, but I respect the fact that others would disagree and have different ideas of how children should dress.

To this day, I like to "push the envelope" in terms of fashion and dress expectations. I haven't had any problems as a result (of course I've always lived in relatively liberal places).

Aren't grillz like permanently bonded to your teeth?

No, I think that they can be popped in and out...like caps. I think? :confused:

Best post of the whole thread.....

....I don't think it has to do with medical issues. I think school boards don't want their institutions looking like a Lil John thuggish rap video. And whether you think it does or not....having that useless shit in your mouth causes a distraction.

The cheep ones can come out. The more "professional" (for lack of a better word) ones are more like veneers to the best of my knowledge.

While I'm all for kids expressing themselves maybe this school district is saving the kids from a bunch of crap when they get older. Many people on hear have said it but I know the job I just left considered them excessive facial jewelry. How sad would be it for one of these kids to be told later in life "Your the best candidate for this job but I can't hire you b/c of all the junk in your mouth."

And not to mention the gang angle. If a kid can get beat up for his sneakers, he surely can get beat up for jewelry in his teeth!

Ihave never seen a set of "grillz" that was permanently put in nthe mouth. Paul Wall and Mike Jones were down here last semester at the Phi Psi house and their "grillz" were just fitted over their normal teetch.

There are few things more idiotic looking than grillz. Good for the school district. As far as I know, most schools also have dress code policies which forbid the wearing of your pants down around your ankles, and other such thuggish means of 'self-expression.'

I can't wait for the day when self-amputation becomes a popular form of 'self-expresion.'

If I chop my leg off on purpose, do I get better parking than everyone else?

I don't know why, but that just reminded me of the "tounge-splitting" fad awhile ago. Why do that kind of crap to yourself?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/f...0513tounge.jpg

But I think it actually does. School districts do have to maintain some level of student health, hygiene and sanitation.

I can tell you the oral hygiene of these kinds of items is butt nasty.

And yeah, right, like these kids really have an ultra-sonicator bath with dental cleaning solutions for properly sanitation...

What happens when these items tarnish? Do they really have the "prophy angle" (that "suction cup" thingy that goes around in circles when the dentist cleans your teeth) to buff up the metal? Or do they use metal cleaner with a rag for their grillz? :rolleyes:

I personally have seen gold-alloy based inlays. They were on molars of a patient my father was treating and built like a "Maryland bridge" format for the teeth. The item had to be cemented and adjusted to the mandibular-maxifacial biteline.

Moreover, dentists use to make their alloys with gold. The gold as a metal has lead in it and is expensive. Also, gold is a soft metal that does not hold its shape, even in alloy based amalgams (fillings).

Now, most amalgams are done with either an alloy, which contains some silver or plastic composites, which actually last longer, hold their shapes, more durable, has a healthier safety record and efficacy.

No board certified dentist would waste his or her time on making grillz. Besides the malpractice alone would be too cost prohibitive.

So if dentists are making grillz, they I would really check their licensing and report them. They would definitely not be a part of any legitimate dental society, like the American Dental Association or National Dental Association... And if they are, then they are lusers who cannot do legit dentristry and aren't interested in better oral health...

How stupid do you have to be as a parent to allow your kid to wear this?

And do people mug you for your grillz because I'd imagine if you're walking around town with 10 karats worth of diamonds in your mouth, someone might think sharing is caring and take them out.

-Rudey

I know several members of school boards in Texas...mostly in my hometown....the issue of cleaning up the schools and creating a better image has been a longstanding concern. I have heard talk about renewing dress codes, grillz, and plenty of other things almost every time I go back home. I have never heard anything about medical problems as an issue, that is why I made the comment that I did.

You are also absolutely wrong on your dentist spiel. Why would you not expect a dentist to offer this? I can say with absolute certainty that I know of ADA and NDA certified dentists and orthodontists that offer the service. Sorry, but if I was buying thousands of dollars in diamonds, platinum, silver and gold......I sure as hell wouldn't trust anyone but a well respected certified dentist to mold and create the thing. Dentistry is a business, just like any other. What could be an easier way to make money than by taking it from some dumbass rapper that is willing to drop thousands of dollars to show off his mouth. Sorry, but I think the malpractice insurance would be small cookies compared to other endeavors in the medical field.

Is the average "grillz" customer really going to the dentist regularly? Maybe the rappers and stuff did it correctly, but Tyrone and Tyequiesha? Nope.

I suspect you'd have to go more than the two times a year if you have gold.

Who decided that putting gold in your mouth was a good idea? The one filling I have is a composite because I didn't want any metal in my mouth, period.

Gold and silver are good choices (or were anyway) for fillings because they're very non-reactive.

That said, I'd have as much respect for a dentist that did grillz as I do for the plastic surgeons that do primarily cosmetic surgery.

They're completely legitimate, and as long as people take good care of them, neither grillz nor implants are likely to be harmful... BUT they're getting rather away from where a doctors and a dentists values should lie, in my opinion.