The Art of Fangsmithing

For over 20 years now the term ‘fangsmithing’ has been growing in popularity. I know we’ve talked about Father Sebastiaan’s reality show Fangshop, based on Sabretooth Fangsmithing, but I’d like to talk more about fangsmithing in general rather than about the world’s most famous fangsmith.

Fangsmithing is the art of creating dental pieces to either wear temporarily or more permanently that look and act like fangs. The majority of fangsmiths out there create only temporary fangs, which fit over your teeth and can be removed. There is, of course, the odd dentist here or there that will create semi-permanent caps to your liking, although many refuse to do so for various reasons.

The temporary fangs are generally made out of dental acrylics, the same material used by dentists in creating caps, partials, dentures, and bonding combinations. A fangsmith should have some dentistry experience or training, although many are simply artists that are masters of their medium. The process generally includes the use of a dental cast or two, depending on the type of fangs you want made. If there is a particular fangsmith you want to do your work but that fangsmith is out of state, often times professional fangsmiths offer mail kits to complete your work. You can go to your local dentist to get the impression of your teeth made; then you mail the cast to your fangsmith, who then forms your fangs based of what you tell them you want done.

Temporary acrylic fangs are designed by a fangsmith to fit over your teeth and fit snugly in place. Some fangs, like those made by Father Sebastiaan, fit directly over the tooth and are able to suction around your gum line in order to stay in place. Other fangs stay in place through the use of an attached retainer of sorts, which suctions to the top or bottom of your mouth. Some people will require the use of a dental cream like Polydent to keep their fangs in place. There are also an entire slew of dentures that you can have made that can give you goblin, zombie, uruk-hai, or werewolf mouth among others.

To get the most realistic look, you’ll want to choose a fangsmith who will take your teeth color into consideration when making your fangs. Otherwise you can end up with extremely white fangs that stand out amongst your other teeth. In reality, because fangsmithing is a type of art, there is no limit to the style or type of fangs you can have made. Ideally, you’ll want to choose something, however, that won’t interfere with your bite in order to be able to enjoy wearing your fangs.

There are limitations to wearing fangs, of course. Typically you’ll want to take them out when you’re eating and if you’re going to be consuming alcohol to avoid damaging them. You can’t wear them while you’re sleeping and you really don’t want to go around biting people with them. They’re not permanent, remember, and they do break, chip, and crack, like any other artificial tooth.

And of course, fangs range greatly in pricing. There are a number of factors involved that alter the price; your shape of teeth, how many fangs you want, the style you want, and the individual fangsmith’s pricing all can alter the price of fangs. Generally speaking, though, unless you’re getting semi-permanent ones made, you’re looking at around $50-$99 per pair. Semi-permanent ones start at around $300 per pair. But, honestly folks, can you really put a price on satisfaction?