Yaeba – Japanese people with crooked teeth

We Westerners like and admire white, flawless teeth, and we even invest fortunes in braces to correct them, but we know that not everything is the same around the world. In Japan, having crooked teeth is something normal and can even be considered beautiful, attractive, and makes people look more childlike.

Japan has always had issues with dentists; they don’t seem to care about the alignment of teeth and have no interest in investing thousands of yen to correct them. Appearance in Japan is something liberal; some Japanese even consider crooked teeth a fashion style.

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What does Yaeba mean?

In Japan, crooked teeth or differently aligned teeth are known as “Yaeba [八重歯]”, which literally means “double tooth.” This term specifically refers to the upper canine teeth that are misaligned in relation to their neighbors, creating an appearance reminiscent of the fangs of a cat, rabbit, or even a vampire.

Japanese people do not leave their teeth crooked for fashion, but rather for reasons such as the high cost of orthodontic treatment and a lack of concern for dental aesthetics. In Japan, appearance is not usually a determining factor in evaluating people.

Interestingly, despite this, “Yaeba” has become a trend, to the point that there are surgical procedures to intentionally create this effect, through artificial canines. This procedure is especially popular among girls, who choose not to correct their teeth but rather to make them resemble animal fangs.

Yaeba Tsukuri

Those who wish to adopt the yaeba look in Japan can resort to specific procedures performed by specialized dentists. There are two main techniques: the use of resin veneers to shape prominent canines or the application of small temporary prosthetics that simulate misalignment.

This process, known as “yaeba tsukuri,” is relatively quick and can be removed or adjusted according to the person’s taste. The price, however, varies greatly, potentially reaching high figures depending on the quality and durability of the work.

• Resin veneers: Direct application on the teeth, shaping the yaeba effect.
• Removable prosthetics: Structures that fit over natural teeth, ideal for those who want to test the look.
• Reverse orthodontics: In more extreme cases, permanent adjustments are made to maintain the naturalized effect.

Despite being popular, the procedure is not without criticism, especially in the West, where dental aesthetics are more linked to oral health and visual perfection. However, in the Japanese cultural context, adopting yaeba is seen as a legitimate and charming way to express individuality.

The Origin of Yaeba

The origin of this trend is not entirely clear. It may be related to the influence of sagas like “Twilight,” anime, dramas, or even the well-known passion of Japanese people for cats. Some believe that “Yaeba” gives a person a younger appearance, as it resembles the baby teeth of childhood.

Initially, yaeba was not a forced phenomenon. It was simply the natural result of dental formation in a society that, for a long time, did not prioritize orthodontics as a beauty standard.

Although yaeba has always existed naturally, its explosion as an aesthetic trend began in the 2000s. The Japanese media, especially TV dramas and fashion magazines, began to portray celebrities with yaeba smiles as icons of natural beauty and cuteness, known in Japan by the term “kawaii“.

Idols like Tomomi Itano from the AKB48 group helped further popularize the look. Her public image showed how yaeba was not only accepted but could be a trademark of charisma and identity.

It is not an exaggeration to say that yaeba became, at a certain point, a true aesthetic signature, attracting even curious tourists and inspiring debates in magazines and variety shows.

Do Japanese People Like Crooked Teeth?

On social media, it is commonly seen that videos claim that the trend in Japan is to have crooked teeth, and indeed from a general perspective, we find many Japanese people with crooked teeth, but is this really a trend?

The focus of this article is really to highlight a style, but having crooked and yellow teeth is something entirely different. The fashion in question concerns specific alignments and not crooked teeth in any way.

Japanese people are embarrassed by their crooked teeth, to the point that most women have the habit of covering their smiles with their hand over their mouth. The fact that most Japanese people have crooked teeth is a matter of priorities and not fashion.

Yaeba through the Media

Even anime does not escape; it is normal to find various anime, manga, and game characters with a tooth resembling a vampire’s, now we know why.

Even in dramas and TV shows, actresses do not go unnoticed; we always question: They are rich, why don’t they fix their teeth? Now we know the reason.

It is also common to see idol groups with crooked teeth, performing their presentations without the slightest shame in smiling and singing, some even undergo surgical procedures to have their teeth more crooked and less aligned.

To finish, watch some Japanese videos showing a bit about yaeba and the procedure performed to transform teeth into vampire fangs. What do you think of this fashion style? Don’t forget to share!