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IRSYAD HUKUM SERIES 663: THE RULING ON WEARING DENTAL BRACES AND VENEERS IN ISLAM

irsyad fatwa 663

QUESTION

What is the ruling on wearing dental braces and veneers?

ANSWER

The ruling on wearing dental braces or dental veneers is permissible for treatment due to dental damage or restoring the original function of the teeth. However, there is no need to attach dental veneers or braces if the teeth have no significant defect.

 

EXPLANATION

Veneer and Braces

A veneer is an artificial layer material that is applied on the teeth surface to improve the dental structure's appearance in terms of shape, length, width and colour to protect the teeth surface from damage. Veneers have various medical functions such as lengthening short teeth due to wear, filling black triangles between teeth due to gaps, providing colour, shape and uniform symmetry and strengthening worn teeth. Composite and porcelain are two primary materials used to make veneers. Therefore, individuals who experience dental issues such as broken, cracked, spaced or yellowing teeth are suitable candidates for veneer treatment.

Meanwhile, braces are devices used to straighten (align) teeth and improve gaps between teeth. Orthodontic specialists state that it is a treatment based on dental classifications to correct a misaligned and unorganized arrangement of teeth to the proper alignment. Dental braces also correct the position of the bite in the jaw.

Altering Allah’s creation (taghyir khalqillah) without necessity (hajiyyah) is prohibited by Islamic law. Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْوَاشِمَاتِ وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَاتِ وَالنَّامِصَاتِ وَالْمُتَنَمِّصَاتِ وَالْمُتَفَلِّجَاتِ لِلْحُسْنِ الْمُغَيِّرَاتِ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ

Meaning: “Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those who get it done for themselves, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who artificially create spaces between their teeth to look beautiful, such women as altering the features created by Allah.”

(Narrated by Muslim)

Ibn Hajar explained the hadith as follows:

وَالْمُتَفَلِّجَاتِ لِلْحُسْنِ يُفْهَمُ مِنْهُ أَنَّ الْمَذْمُومَةَ مَنْ فَعَلَتْ ذَلِكَ لِأَجْلِ الْحُسْنِ فَلَوِ احْتَاجَتْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ لِمُدَاوَاةٍ مِثْلًا جَازَ

Meaning: “According to the hadith, women who space their teeth to enhance their appearance are considered to be doing something blameworthy, as it is done purely for beauty. However, if the procedure is done for medical reasons, it is allowed.” (See Fath al-Bari 10/372)

Meanwhile, Imam al-Nawawi explains the meaning of the word "لِلْحُسْنِ الْمُتَفَلِّجَاتُ " as:

وَأَمَّا قَوْلُهُ الْمُتَفَلِّجَاتُ لِلْحُسْنِ فَمَعْنَاهُ يَفْعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ طَلَبًا لِلْحُسْنِ وَفِيهِ إِشَارَةٌ إِلَى أَنَّ الْحَرَامَ هُوَ الْمَفْعُولُ لطلب الحسن أما لو احتاجت إِلَيْهِ لِعِلَاجٍ أَوْ عَيْبٍ فِي السِّنِّ وَنَحْوِهِ فلا بأس

Meaning: “Women who space their teeth for beauty (li husn) implies that they do so solely for beautification. This hadith indicates that what is prohibited is done purely for cosmetic reasons. However, if the action is done out of necessity, such as to treat a defect or due to a flaw in the teeth or the like, then it is not an issue” (Refer to al-Minhaj fi Syarh Sahih Muslim, 14/107).

Therefore, the hadith serves as evidence prohibiting all forms of alteration to Allah’s creation done solely for beautification without any medical necessity.

 

CONCLUSION

Based on the presented evidence, the ruling on wearing dental braces or veneers is permissible when done to treat damaged teeth, such as broken, gapped or cracked teeth to restore their original function. However, there is no need to wear veneers or braces if there is no defect in the teeth or if it is done purely for aesthetic reasons. Cosmetic treatments that alter Allah’s creation are only acceptable in cases of necessity and not merely for beautification.