Gem Size & Placement Reference
A reference built from the same code as the calculators above — not a separate, hand-typed table. Gem size comes from the Gem Size & Tooth Fit Selector, visibility from the Smile Line Placement Planner, cost from the Dental Jewelry Cost Estimator, shade contrast from the Gem Shade Matcher, and settling time from the Aftercare Timeline Planner.
Gem size by tooth position
| Position | Typical width | Recommended size | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper lateral incisor, centered | 6.5mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 95/100 — bold |
| Upper central incisor, centered | 8.5mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 85/100 — bold |
| Upper central incisor, near the gumline | 8.5mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 73/100 — balanced |
| Upper canine, near the biting edge | 7.7mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 96/100 — bold |
| Upper canine, centered (an above-average-width canine) | 10.6mm | 1.8mm balanced · 2.0mm statement | 90/100 — bold |
| Lower lateral incisor, centered | 6.5mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 60/100 — balanced |
| Upper premolar, near the gumline | 7.0mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 43/100 — discreet |
| Lower premolar, near the biting edge | 7.0mm | 1.8mm balanced · same at statement coverage | 26/100 — discreet |
Sizes are the balanced- and statement-coverage recommendations from recommendGemSize()for each row’s typical width; visibility is the score and category from planPlacement()for that row’s tooth, arch, and height. Widths are illustrative averages — use your own measurement in the calculator for a result specific to your tooth.
Reading the size-and-position table
The pattern that jumps out is that almost every position lands on the same 1.8mm recommendation, whether the coverage chosen is balanced or statement. That is not a rounding quirk — it is what the ratio-based math actually produces once a size is snapped to the diameters gems are sold in. A statement-coverage ratio of 0.18 only needs a tooth wider than about 10.5mm to clear the midpoint between the two smallest stocked sizes, and a typical front tooth simply is not that wide. The one row that does move, the above-average-width canine, exists specifically to show where that threshold sits.
Visibility tells a more varied story, because it depends on three inputs that swing independently: the tooth itself (a lateral incisor and canine sit more squarely in the smile line than a premolar), the arch (dropping to the lower teeth costs 35 points outright), and the height on the tooth’s face (a gumline placement is quieter than one nearer the biting edge). The lowest score on this page belongs to a lower premolar near the edge — a position that is both structurally and visually about as far from the smile line as these four teeth allow.
Typical cost by material
| Material | Typical per-gem range |
|---|---|
| Crystal / cubic zirconia | $15–$50 |
| Swarovski crystal | $30–$80 |
| Solid gold charm | $50–$150 |
| Real diamond | $80–$300 |
One gem, from estimateCost()with no application fee, removal, or follow-ups added — the material’s own price range. Add fees for a full budget in the Dental Jewelry Cost Estimator.
Shade contrast at a glance
| Tooth shade | Gem colour | Contrast |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | Clear | 0 — blends in |
| A3 | Pink | 0 — blends in |
| A2 | Gold | 2 — gentle contrast |
| A4 | Blue | 3 — gentle contrast |
| A1 | Onyx (black) | 7 — high contrast |
| C4 | Diamond-clear | 7 — high contrast |
Contrast is the absolute brightness difference from matchShade()on a 1–10 scale. Try your own shade and gem colour in the Gem Shade Matcher.
Settling time & expected lifespan by cure type
| Cure type | Avoid all food/drink | Soft foods until | Typical bonded lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light-cured | 1h | 2h | 6–12 months |
| Self-cure | 2h | 4h | 6–12 months |
From planAftercare(). Lifespan and the settling windows depend on the cure type, not on the gem’s size or position. Turn your own application date into a dated schedule in the Aftercare Timeline Planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does almost every row recommend the same 1.8mm gem size?
Because that is genuinely what the sizing calculator returns for realistic front-tooth widths. Gems are only sold in a handful of diameters (1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, and 3.0mm), and for a typical 6.5-8.5mm incisor, premolar, or canine, even a bold "statement" ratio lands well under the midpoint between the two smallest sizes. The math only crosses into 2.0mm and above on a noticeably wider-than-average tooth, which is why one row here deliberately uses an above-average canine width to show where that line sits.
Does a bigger, more visible tooth position cost more?
No — in this model, cost tracks the gem's material and any studio fees, not its size or which tooth it sits on. A crystal on a bold canine costs the same as a crystal on a discreet premolar. That is why cost has its own table here instead of being squeezed into the size-and-position grid: forcing a relationship between position and price that the underlying numbers don't support would be misleading.
Does gem size or placement change how long it lasts?
Not in a way either calculator models directly. Settling time and expected lifespan here come from the cure type (light-cured vs. self-cure), not from the gem's size or its position on the tooth. In practice, placement can still affect how much chewing force a gem takes — a spot right on a biting edge gets knocked more than one set back from it — but that is a judgement call for whoever applies the gem, not a number the calculators currently compute.
Are the tooth widths on this page exact?
No — they're typical, rounded figures used only to illustrate the sizing calculator, not a measurement of your own teeth. Tooth width varies from person to person, which is exactly why the calculator asks you to enter your own number rather than assuming an average.
Educational reference only, not dental advice or a quote. Only a dentist who can examine your teeth can confirm what size, placement, and material are actually appropriate for you.
Use it with
- Gem Size & Tooth Fit Selector — get a recommended diameter from your own tooth width and coverage preference.
- Smile Line Placement Planner— score any tooth, arch, and height combination for visibility.
- Dental Jewelry Cost Estimator — turn a material and gem count into a full low-to-high budget.