Crooked Teeth: Is It True They’re Not Considered a Flaw in Japan?

In Japan, crooked or overlapping teeth aren’t seen as a flaw. Unlike in the Western world, they’re associated with youth, innocence, and beauty.

And yes, although it may sound surprising, this aesthetic trend called yaeba has become a real boom in Japan. So much so that there are dental clinics offering specific treatments to recreate this effect, and some celebrities have adopted it as part of their public image.

So, if you’ve reached this post, you’re probably curious to know what yaeba really means, why it is considered attractive in Japanese culture, and how it compares to the Western obsession with the perfect smile. Did we guess right? Perfect, because today we’ll tell you everything about this dental fashion that’s causing a sensation in Japan. Don’t miss it!

What Does Yaeba Mean?

Yaeba (八重歯) literally means “double teeth” in Japanese and mainly refers to upper canines that protrude or are misaligned, creating an irregular smile that in Japan is interpreted as a sign of youth, naturalness, and even attractiveness.

However, “Yaeba” teeth are even considered a kind of fetish. There’s a website entirely dedicated to photos of Japanese women with misaligned teeth. In addition, several Japanese celebrities have proudly displayed their yaeba, reinforcing the idea that this feature can symbolize authenticity and youthful charm.

In conclusion, yaeba not only describes a dental condition but has also become an aesthetic and cultural trend in Japan, increasingly discussed in the West for its contrast with the obsession over the perfect smile.

How Can You Get Yaeba Teeth?

Yaeba teeth can appear naturally when the dental arch is narrow and the upper canines shift forward.

But since this trend has become popular among young Japanese women, treatments have been developed that intentionally alter the dentition so that the molars push the canines forward, creating a vampire-like yet apparently attractive effect.

For this reason, some Japanese people say that yaeba gives girls a casual look, making them more attractive and relatable—unlike the flawless supermodels that dominate magazine covers.

This trend reflects how in Japan an irregular smile is valued as an aesthetic trait, in contrast to the Western pursuit of dental perfection, turning yaeba into a cultural phenomenon that sparks growing curiosity abroad.

What Do Western Countries Think About Crooked Teeth?

In the West, crooked teeth are usually considered an aesthetic defect and a dental health problem.

Unlike Japan, where crooked teeth are interpreted as attractive and youthful, in countries such as Spain or the United States the perfect smile is associated with personal care, success, and beauty.

That is why orthodontics (whether traditional braces, invisible aligners, or dental veneers) has become one of the most in-demand treatments, aiming to align teeth and provide a polished, healthy image.

What Are the Risks of Altering Teeth to Achieve the Crooked Effect?

Altering the dentition to achieve crooked teeth may seem like an interesting aesthetic trend in Japan, but from a dental perspective it involves several risks that affect both oral health and functionality.

Specialists warn that intentionally changing tooth position not only compromises aesthetics but can also lead to long-term complications, such as:

• Irregular tooth wear, causing sensitivity and fractures due to abnormal contact.
• Plaque buildup, creating hard-to-clean areas that increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Temporomandibular joint problems, with jaw pain, bruxism, and frequent headaches.
• Bite alterations, making chewing difficult and potentially affecting digestion.
• Greater aesthetic and functional vulnerability, since an irregular smile may require more complex treatments in the future.

Crooked Teeth in Japan: Flaw Turned Fashion or Lasting Tradition?

Yaeba has sparked intense debate because it is not just an aesthetic curiosity—it reflects how Japanese culture redefines the irregular smile as a symbol of authenticity and youthful charm. This vision contrasts with the Western obsession with dental perfection and shows that beauty does not always follow the same standards across societies.

Beyond fashion, this trend of crooked teeth has become a cultural phenomenon that continues to generate interest and conversation both inside and outside Japan. Its permanence will depend on how aesthetic perception evolves among new generations, but it has already left its mark as an expression of identity and cultural difference.

If you want to know more about crooked teeth or yaeba, feel free to contact us or reach out on our social media. Our team will gladly explain more about this topic and the risks of undergoing this technique.

Frequently Asked Questions about crooked teeth

1. Which Japanese Celebrities Have Shown Their Yaeba?

Yaeba has become a visible aesthetic trait among several Japanese celebrities who have proudly displayed it in media and performances. Among the most well-known are Tomomi Itano and Yūko Ōshima, members of the group AKB48, who helped popularize the trend in the 2010s.

Actress and model Erika Sawajiri, singer Masora Hino, and performer Saiki Atsumi from the band Band-Maid have also showcased their misaligned canines as part of their aesthetic identity.

In the male sphere, figures such as actor Tatsuya Fujiwara, singer Shōta Aoi, and actor Hiroki Aiba have also been noted for displaying this trait, consolidating yaeba as a cultural phenomenon in Japan.

2. Where Did the Crooked Teeth Trend Originate in Japan?

The yaeba trend emerged in Japan in the early 2010s, driven by kawaii aesthetics and the influence of celebrities such as AKB48 members, who displayed their misaligned canines as symbols of youth and charm. Since then, dental clinics in cities like Tokyo began offering temporary and permanent veneers to recreate this effect, consolidating yaeba as a cultural phenomenon that contrasts with the Western obsession with the perfect smile.

3. What Is the Difference Between Yaeba and Other Malocclusion Problems?

Yaeba is an aesthetic condition culturally valued in Japan, characterized by misaligned upper canines interpreted as symbols of youth and sweetness. In contrast, malocclusion is a broader clinical problem that affects bite, functionality, and oral health. In Western countries, it is usually treated with orthodontics or veneers to restore both aesthetics and proper oral function.

4. Could This Crooked Teeth Trend Spread to Other Countries?

The yaeba trend is unlikely to spread outside Japan, since in Europe and the United States crooked teeth are considered both an aesthetic and clinical defect. Nevertheless, it does spark curiosity as an alternative cultural phenomenon, linked to kawaii aesthetics and the Japanese perception of youth.