Origins
The Grillz we recognize today began gaining mainstream attention in the early 1970s, but the concept goes much further back—tracing all the way to around 800 BC in the ancient Etruscan civilization. Wealthy Etruscan women wore dental bridges made of gold and artificial teeth as a symbol of status and luxury.
Fast-forward to the 1970s in Brooklyn, New York: Eddie Plein, an immigrant from Suriname, modernized traditional gold-tooth culture and introduced removable gold dental pieces—laying the foundation for today’s Grillz.
The Pioneer
Eddie Plein is widely regarded as the innovator of modern Grillz. The idea came to him during a trip back to Suriname when he chipped a tooth and was advised to get a permanent gold cap. Although common there, Eddie didn’t want a fixed gold tooth, which inspired him to create removable gold caps instead.
After returning to New York, he enrolled in dental school to study crown-making techniques. With that knowledge and support from his family’s jewelry-making skills, he began crafting Grillz from the basement of his home.
His breakthrough came when rapper Just-Ice became his first major client. In 1987, Just-Ice appeared in promotional posters for his album Kool and Deadly wearing Eddie’s gold Grillz. The posters spread across New York, and demand skyrocketed.
Eddie later opened “Famous Eddie’s” at the Colosseum Mall in Jamaica, Queens. However, as copycat makers emerged and undercut prices, his New York business eventually declined.
In 1992, Eddie relocated to Atlanta, where the growing hip-hop culture helped him reach new heights. He created custom Grillz for major artists including Outkast, Goodie Mob, Ludacris, and Lil Jon.
A Key Contributor
In 1996, Vietnamese immigrant Johnny Dang arrived in the United States, and later revolutionized the Grillz industry with the help of rapper Paul Wall.
Originally working in his family’s jewelry repair shop, Dang partnered with Paul Wall in 2002 to create Grillz for prominent hip-hop artists. Throughout the 2000s, he crafted pieces for stars such as Gucci Mane, Kanye West, and Beyoncé. Despite the popularity, four Texas school districts even banned Grillz for students during this period.
Modern Era
Grillz rose from athletes to rappers and peaked in popularity toward the late 2000s. The trend evolved again in 2012 when A$AP Rocky connected with Parisian dental artist Dolly Cohen, bringing Grillz into the world of high fashion.
With technological advancements and the influence of social media, Grillz design possibilities are now endless, and global demand continues to grow.
Yet despite the cultural boom, Eddie Plein’s refusal to compromise on craftsmanship and quality gradually pushed him out of the competitive market. In 2006, he closed his shop. He no longer makes Grillz himself, but his brother Lando carries on the craft, maintaining Eddie’s meticulous standards and artistic spirit.
Today, Eddie Plein’s legacy lives on as Grillz continue to shine within both hip-hop culture and luxury fashion.
Conclusion
Grillz are more than dental accessories—they are a lasting symbol of style and cultural identity. With refined craftsmanship and artistic expression, they represent creativity, individuality, and status—turning every smile into a statement.
Article source：Ltgrillzjewelry