What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Freddie Mercury? Is it his extraordinary voice? Is it the energy he brings to the stage? Or his distinctive teeth? Yes, Freddie's teeth have been a subject of curiosity for years. So much so that some people thought they were fake. But the real thing is much more interesting!
Freddie Mercury had extra teeth in his upper jaw. In medical language, this is called supernumerary teeth. That is, having more teeth than normal. This excess pushed his front teeth forward, resulting in a prominent jaw structure. The result? It was considered the secret behind both his self-image and perhaps also his legendary voice.
In this blog post, based on Freddie Mercury's teeth, we will give information about the causes of hypodontia and treatment options for those looking for a solution. If you are experiencing speech problems and aesthetic concerns due to reasons such as extra or misaligned teeth, you can contact our Atk Dentpark clinic in Antalya and make an appointment online to benefit from customized treatment options.
Freddie had four extra incisors in his upper jaw. In the medical world, they're called supernumerary teeth. These extra teeth pushed his front teeth forwards, creating a distinctive jaw protrusion. These extra teeth caused overcrowding and bite problems. The result? A distinctive smile and perhaps a unique voice.
Let's explain this a little more. Hyperdontia, the growth of extra teeth, was the condition Freddie Mercury experienced. Supernumerary teeth sometimes go unnoticed because they can remain embedded in the gums. In Freddie, however, they were clearly visible and pushed his upper incisors outwards, causing a malocclusion called malocclusion.
Because Freddie's teeth were causing his upper jaw to clench, he may have even had to have some of them extracted. But the only reason they were not completely corrected was the fear that his vocal resonance might change.
Some people may have more teeth than normal. This is called hyperdontia. But why does it happen? No definite cause has been found. But scientists are looking at several strong possibilities. Let's take a look together!
The formation of teeth is similar to the production line in a factory. Everything goes in a certain order. But sometimes there is a disruption in the system and extra production occurs. This is what happens in hyperdontia.
If someone in the family has extra teeth, the likelihood of occurrence in other individuals increases. In short, sometimes this ‘excess’ is inherited!
Some genetic diseases go hand in hand with hyperdontia. For example:
However, it is important to remember that hyperdontia can also occur in people who do not have such syndromes and disorders!
When hyperdontia causes problems such as gum disease, tooth crowding or jaw pain, treatment is needed. Some common complications include:
If the extra teeth do not cause any problems, sometimes they are not touched at all. But if they cause congestion or chewing difficulties, dentists can use several different methods:
No need to worry! Hyperdontia is a rare condition. If you think you have excess teeth, it is best to see a dentist. It is easily detected by X-ray and a special treatment plan will be determined for you.
Freddie Mercury's teeth were as striking as they were on stage. Big, prominent and unusual. Today, if someone had such a tooth structure, they would immediately go to an orthodontist. So why didn't Freddie do that? Did he not have the money? Of course he did. As a famous rock star, he could have had any plastic surgery he wanted. But he never wanted to.
Freddie thought that his teeth helped his voice. The four extra teeth in his upper jaw widened the inner structure of his mouth. This wideness could have had a factor in the timbre of his voice. Although there was no definitive scientific evidence, Freddie was convinced. He may have thought, "What if my voice changes?" and left his teeth as they were.
This wasn't just about his voice, either. Freddie had always been conscious of his appearance. The way he put his hand over his mouth when he laughed was one of his biggest gestures to prove it. But interestingly, he completely forgot about this shyness on stage. His music and performance were more important than his teeth.
Freddie Mercury's smile was like his signature. But let's say he wanted to fix it, how would that be? The answer is simple: It was possible with the techniques of the time, and with the modern methods of today!
Freddie had four extra incisors in his mouth. These pushed his other teeth forward, compressing them. Although this excess contributed to his iconic smile, if he wanted to align his teeth, they would have to be extracted first. Tooth extraction is a simple procedure and could easily have been done at the time.
But the work would not end there. Removing the extra teeth would only be the beginning. Because the teeth would not have moved back on their own because they had been pressed forward for years. That's why the second stage would come into play.
Freddie's remaining teeth would be gradually pulled back into the correct position with special braces. This process could take several years, but the result was a more regular and balanced dentition. There were braces then too, but they didn't work as fast as they do today. Today, the process has become more comfortable thanks to alternatives such as transparent aligners.
Once the teeth were aligned, a few minor aesthetic touch-ups could have been needed. Freddie's front teeth in particular could have been reshaped for a more balanced look. Today, cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers can create the perfect smile. At that time, there were not such advanced techniques, but a satisfactory result could still be achieved for Freddie.
That's another question! His distinctive dentition and smile were part of his energy on stage. Perhaps if he had his teeth straightened, he wouldn't have had such a popular look. After all, Freddie Mercury was unique in every way, and perhaps one of the things that made him special was his unique smile as much as his unique voice.
A smile is the most powerful expression of self-confidence. And we, as Atk Dentpark, ensure that every patient gets the smile that suits them best! We make a difference with the superior service we offer to our patients from Europe and all over the world.
Not every tooth is the same. Every smile is individual. That's why our team creates completely personalized treatment plans. We provide you with both natural and aesthetic results with dental implants, porcelain veneers, orthodontic solutions and aesthetic filling applications.
So, are you ready to get your dream smile? If yes, we are waiting for you! Contact us now to get a free consultation and experience the Atk Dentpark difference.
The smile you dream of is closer than you think!