TL;DR

Custom grillz are removable gold caps that snap over your real teeth. At Bijouterie Jamil in Montréal, we make them from a real dental impression we take in store — never from a hairspray-can mold. Single-tooth pieces typically run $150–$600 CAD, full six- or eight-tooth sets run $1,500–$8,000 CAD depending on karat, design, and stones. Turnaround is 2–4 weeks from impression to fitting. We only make removable grillz — nothing glued, nothing permanent, nothing that touches your enamel.

What custom grillz actually are

Grillz are decorative gold (sometimes silver or platinum) covers that fit snugly over the front surface of your teeth. They are jewellery, not dental work. A properly made grillz piece slides on, holds itself in place by friction against the contours of your teeth, and slides off when you want to take it off. You eat without them, you sleep without them, and you clean them like any other piece of fine jewellery.

The keyword is custom. Off-the-shelf "one size fits all" grillz, or any kit that asks you to bite into hot wax or thermoplastic at home, will not fit properly. They will be loose, they will trap food, and they can irritate your gums. The only way to get a piece that actually fits is to start with a real dental impression taken by someone who knows what they are doing.

The Bijouterie Jamil process, step by step

Here is exactly what happens when you come into our Montréal store for a custom grillz consult.

1. Consultation (30–45 minutes)

You sit down with me or one of our craftspeople. We talk about which teeth you want covered (single tooth, two teeth, full top six, full top eight, bottom row, fangs, windows, diamond accents). We talk about budget honestly, look at reference photos, and review options like solid gold, cut-out designs, diamond settings, and two-tone work. If you used our online Grillz Builder to get a starting estimate, bring the saved configuration — it speeds things up.

2. Dental impression (15 minutes)

We take a proper alginate impression of the teeth being covered. Alginate is the same material a dentist uses. You bite into a tray for about two minutes, it sets, we lift it out, and we pour a stone model from it within the hour. That stone model is a precise 3D copy of your teeth — and that is what your grillz are built on. No hairspray cans, no DIY home kits. We do this in store because it is the only way to guarantee fit.

3. Quote and deposit

Once we know the exact tooth count, metal, and any stones, we give you a firm quote in writing. A 50% deposit confirms the order and we begin fabrication.

4. Fabrication (2–4 weeks)

We cast the grillz in your chosen karat of gold, hand-finish each tooth, set any diamonds, and polish to a mirror finish. Single-tooth pieces are usually ready in 5–10 business days. Full sets, especially with stone setting, take 2–4 weeks.

5. Fitting

You come back in. We seat the piece on your teeth, check the friction fit, adjust any tight or loose contact points, and walk you through how to put them in, take them out, and store them. You leave with a fitted piece, a cleaning cloth, and a small storage box.

Materials: what gold karat, what stones

Grillz are sold by weight, karat, and stonework. Here is how those choices play out.

Gold karat

• 10K gold — 41.7% pure gold. Hardest of the three, holds detail well, lowest material cost. Good entry point. Slightly cooler colour.
• 14K gold — 58.3% pure gold. The Montréal sweet spot for grillz. Strong enough to live in your mouth, rich yellow colour, balanced cost. Most clients pick 14K.
• 18K gold — 75% pure gold. Warmest, richest colour. Softer metal — more prone to small dents over years of use, but visually unbeatable. Premium option.

We also work in white gold and rose gold if you want something other than yellow. Two-tone (yellow base with white gold accents, for example) is a common request. We do not recommend silver — it tarnishes too quickly in the mouth and your saliva will turn it dark within weeks. Platinum is possible but rarely worth the extra cost for grillz specifically.

Diamonds and stones

You have options:

• No stones — solid polished gold. Cleanest look, lowest cost, easiest to maintain.
• Lab-grown diamonds (VS to VVS clarity) — same chemistry as natural, a fraction of the price, ideal for grillz where you want sparkle without the markup. Most of our grillz clients go this route.
• Natural VVS diamonds — natural-mined stones in VVS1/VVS2 clarity. Significantly more expensive. Choose this if you specifically want natural stones for resale or personal preference.
• Coloured stones — rubies, sapphires, even emeralds set into windows or borders. Possible but slower; we quote case by case.

For more on the lab vs natural decision, see our pillar on lab-grown vs natural diamonds.

Single tooth vs full sets — and honest pricing

Pricing depends on tooth count, karat, and stonework. Here is the realistic 2026 range in CAD at Bijouterie Jamil:

• Single tooth, solid gold (10K–14K), no stones — $150–$400 CAD
• Single tooth with diamond accent or full diamond face — $350–$600 CAD
• Two-tooth solid gold piece — $300–$700 CAD
• Full top six, solid gold — $1,500–$3,500 CAD
• Full top six, iced out (lab-grown VVS) — $3,000–$5,500 CAD
• Full top eight, iced out, 14K — $4,500–$8,000 CAD
• Custom designs (fangs, windows, two-tone, engraving) — quoted individually

These ranges include the impression, fabrication, and fitting. They do not include GST or QST. We give you a firm written quote before we start — no surprises at pickup.

Removable only — why we will not glue grillz to your teeth

Some shops offer "permanent" grillz attached with dental cement or bonding. We do not. Here is why.

Permanent grillz trap bacteria and food against your enamel 24 hours a day. They make brushing the covered tooth nearly impossible. Within months you can develop decay, gum recession, and discoloration under the cap. It is also much harder to remove cleanly if anything goes wrong.

Removable grillz are the standard for a reason. You wear them when you want them, you take them out to eat and sleep, and you keep your teeth healthy underneath. Every piece we make is removable, full stop. If you want a permanent look, talk to a cosmetic dentist about veneers — that is a different service from a different professional.

Sizing and the fitting process

Sizing for grillz is about contour, not circumference. Your teeth are not round — every surface, edge, and gap is unique. The dental impression captures that geometry exactly, and we build the grillz to match the impression with about 0.1–0.2 mm of friction tolerance.

When you come in for the fitting, we check three things:

1. Seating — does it slide on smoothly without forcing.
2. Retention — does it hold without falling when you talk or smile.
3. Comfort — no sharp edges against the gum, no pressure points.

If anything is off, we adjust on the spot. Most fittings take 15–20 minutes. If you gain or lose a tooth later, or get significant dental work done, the grillz may need to be remade — teeth shift, and the old fit won't be exact anymore.

For more on how we size other types of jewellery, see our complete ring sizing guide.

Care, hygiene, and what not to do

Grillz live in your mouth. Hygiene is non-negotiable. Here is the routine we give every client.

Daily

• Take them out before eating. Always. Food stuck under a grillz is the fastest way to bad breath, gum irritation, and decay.
• Rinse with warm water after wearing.
• Brush your real teeth thoroughly before putting grillz back in.
• Store dry in the box we give you. Never wrap them in tissue (they get lost) and never leave them sitting in mouthwash overnight (alcohol can dull the polish).

Weekly

• Soak the grillz in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap for 5 minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and pat dry.
• Avoid harsh toothpaste with whitening abrasives — they can scratch the gold.

Annually

• Bring them in for a professional ultrasonic cleaning and re-polish. We do this for our clients at no charge in the first year and for a small fee after that. It removes built-up plaque, restores the shine, and lets us spot any wear or loose stones.

What not to do

• Don't eat with them in. Pressure on the gold against hard food can dent or distort the fit.
• Don't sleep with them in. Grinding pressure plus reduced saliva equals trapped bacteria.
• Don't use bleach, peroxide, or alcohol-based mouthwash as a soak — it can damage prong settings on diamonds.
• Don't try to bend them back into shape if they feel loose. Bring them to us. Once you bend gold cold, it work-hardens and cracks.

The Bjamil online Grillz Builder

If you are not ready to come into the store yet, or you live outside Montréal, our online Grillz Builder lets you configure a piece — pick your teeth, your karat, your stone option — and get a real estimate. It is the fastest way to get a number before booking a consult. Note that the final piece still requires an in-store impression — we do not take impressions by mail. The builder is a quoting tool, not a replacement for the fitting.

Frequently asked questions

How long do custom grillz take to make?

2 to 4 weeks from impression to fitting for most pieces. Single-tooth caps without stones can be ready in 5–10 business days. Full iced-out sets are at the longer end of the range.

How much do custom grillz cost in Montréal?

Single-tooth pieces start at $150 CAD in 10K solid gold. Full six-tooth sets in 14K start around $1,500 CAD and can reach $8,000 CAD with VVS lab-grown diamond settings. We quote in writing before any work begins.

Are Bijouterie Jamil grillz removable or permanent?

Removable only. We do not glue, bond, or cement grillz to teeth. Every piece slides on and off so you can clean both your teeth and the grillz properly.

Can I eat with my grillz in?

No. Always remove them before eating. Pressure on hard food can distort the fit, and trapped food causes hygiene problems fast.

Do I need a dental impression, or can I send a photo?

You need a real impression. Photos and the old DIY hairspray-can method do not produce a fitted piece. We take the impression in store in about 15 minutes using the same alginate material a dentist uses.

What gold karat is best for grillz?

14K is the most common choice — strong enough for daily wear, rich yellow colour, balanced price. 10K is harder and cheaper, 18K is warmer and softer. White gold and rose gold are available for all karats.

Are lab-grown diamonds okay for grillz?

Yes, and they are the most popular choice for iced-out grillz at our store. Lab-grown VVS diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds, sparkle the same way, and cost a fraction of the price — which matters when you are setting 30+ stones into a single piece.

Will grillz damage my teeth?

A properly made, removable, well-fitted piece worn part-time and cleaned daily will not damage your teeth. Damage happens with permanent (cemented) grillz, with poorly fitted DIY pieces, and when people wear them while eating or sleeping. Follow the care routine and you are fine.

Ready to start?

If you are in Montréal, book a grillz consultation at Bijouterie Jamil — we will take the impression, walk you through options, and quote your piece in one visit. If you want a number first, run your design through our online Grillz Builder and bring the configuration with you. Either way, you leave with a fitted piece in 2–4 weeks.

Nader Khazzoum is a master jeweller at Bijouterie Jamil in Montréal. He has spent over 20 years on the bench, specializing in custom fabrication, stone setting, laser welding, and grillz. Bijouterie Jamil is a second-generation family-run jewellery store serving Québec for over 60 years.