Freddie Mercury is a legend known not only for his music, but also for his distinctive smile. But behind this iconic smile lay a condition called hyperdontia, which caused his teeth to have more teeth than normal. It was a condition that was not treated for fear that it would affect Freddie's voice quality.
Although it gave him an endearing and unforgettable smile, Freddie was never happy about it. The uniqueness of his dentition was as striking as the uniqueness of his music and stage performance. Here, this unknown story about Freddie Mercury's teeth opens the door to how they shaped his art and personal image.
The origin of his unique teeth and their impact on his career
Freddie's overbite issue was persistently problematic during his childhood. His loved ones thought these teeth gave him a better voice and made him sound more authoritative, however, his young pals teased him as "Bucky." Freddie would refuse dental treatment for a lifetime due to this conviction.
But it would turn out that this assumption was wrong. No matter how crowding or dental irregularities impact pronunciation, they will not change the thickness or thinness of the voice. The quality of the voice is entirely dependent on the vocal cords, and while a malocclusion of the teeth can affect pronunciation, such as a lisp, it does not affect the quality of the voice in any way.
As a child, Freddie overcame many obstacles in his pursuit of a music career. As a teenager, he released the album "The Hectics" with a group of three friends. However, photographs from that time period indicate that young Freddie was dissatisfied with the appearance of his teeth.
Following the Zanzibar uprising in 1964, Freddie Mercury relocated to England and established the band Queen in London alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor. Even during the 1960s and 1970s, when young Freddie performed in front of large audiences, he maintained the conviction that the quality of his voice was influenced by his teeth. So, he made a unique smile out of his Hyperdontia condition.
Memorable quotes related to his teeth
There are many anecdotes and quotes about Freddie Mercury's teeth. In an interview, he said, "I don't dare get my teeth fixed, because my voice might change." He once jokingly commented about his teeth, "They take up more space, so they make more noise." For Freddie's fans, his teeth remain a detail that makes him even more special.
Mesiodens (Freddie Mercury Teeth):
Mesiodens is the presence of one or more extra teeth in the midline between the upper incisors. It is usually conical or small and irregular in shape. Occasionally, it may also be observed in the mandible. Mesiodens can disrupt the correct positioning of adjacent teeth. In many cases, it leads to crooked or stuck teeth. It can result in aesthetic issues, particularly due to its location between the front teeth.
They apply pressure to neighbouring teeth, resulting in their displacement and hindering their normal emergence. Most of the time, mesiodens are surgically removed. In order to realign the teeth, orthodontic treatment is often done after the extraction.
Distomolar
Dystomolars are extra teeth that grow behind the third molars (also known as wisdom teeth). They can also be called fourth molars. They can show up in either the upper or lower jaw and are most commonly found not far from the third molars. Because they crowd the back teeth, dystomolars can make it harder to keep teeth clean and speed up the decay process.
Paramolar
Paramolars are extra teeth that grow next to or near the normal molars. Typically, these supplementary teeth are tiny and have an irregular shape. Paramolars can grow on either the top or bottom jaw, adjacent to the molars.
Freddie Mercury's teeth have become a symbol of his character and distinctive style. Many parodies, cartoons, and jokes have featured his distinctive image, which has become a cultural icon.
Freddie Mercury's acceptance of his natural teeth served as an inspiring example for many individuals, encouraging them to embrace their own unique dental features without seeking modifications. Even decades after his passing, Freddie continues to inspire us with his unforgettable smile and remarkable vocal quality.
Dentistry is a highly individualized field, and treatment plans can be made according to patients' wishes. Although rare, Freddie Mercury-style teeth are requested from dentists for a specific aesthetic or artistic purpose. If you think that your mouth and jaw structure are suitable for this, you can have your dentist make your teeth in the style of Freddie Mercury. Our free online consultation service is a great resource for getting the answers you need.
Note: The information presented in this article about Freddie Mercury's personal life and dental health is sourced from publicly available news outlets and open-source platforms. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be speculative or not definitively confirmed. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not claim to present factual or authoritative statements. Readers are encouraged to consult official statements or verified sources for the most accurate information.