About Jack Hughes (American ice hockey player)
Born / Age
May 14, 2001
Gender
Male
Job
Ice hockey player
Known for
Season | Team | League 2016–17 Toronto Marlboros 2016–17 Georgetown Raiders 2017–18 U.S. National Development Team 2018–19 U.S. National Development Team 2019–20 New Jersey Devils NHL 2020–21 New Jersey Devils NHL 2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 2024–25 New Jersey Devils NHL 2025–26 New Jersey Devils NHL
Lots of hockey fans still associate the “toothless grin” with hardcore old-school enforcers but New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes was one of the first to get the “”toothless“” look in his career. In fact, it’s believed that he lost them during the international tournament but the real story is a little more “”regular season””. The truth is Jack actually got his front teeth knocked out during an NHL game versus the Washington Capitals in 2021, not at the Olympics.
After that, he has changed from the gap-toothed teenager to one of the most polished faces in the league. So here is the journey of Jack Hughes’ smile right from his rookie days to 2026.
Jack Hughes New Teeth Transformation in Years
Jack Hughes’ missing teeth in 2016
jack hughes teeth 2016
Back in 2016, the little Jack was already a rising star on the youth circuits. His smile was neat, natural and complete—the typical look of a highly-promoted prospect before the professional game physically getting into him.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2018
jack hughes teeth 2018
While playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program, Jack’s smile was still a very recognizable feature of his “poster boy” look. Entering the 2019 NHL Draft, he still had all his original teeth.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2020
jack hughes teeth 2020
At the very beginning of his Devils career, Jack was somehow able to protect his smile even though the nature of the game at his level of play could have resulted in a lost tooth rather quickly. As he was still adapting to the size and speed of the NHL, he was sporting his natural look.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2022
jack hughes teeth 2022
This was the year of the “”Gap””. After sustaining a high stick which knocked his teeth out in late 2021, Jack most of the time in 2022 rocked the look of the classic hockey player without teeth. His post-game interviews were often done with the front gap being very prominent—a feature which actually charmingly symbolized his “”tougher”” persona in the NHL.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2023
jack hughes teeth 2023
Jack’s journey towards the final, permanent dental restoration began only by the year 2023. His “”flipper”” (a removable partial denture) was usually seen during public appearances and photoshoots but he was without it on the ice.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2024
jack hughes teeth 2024
While the Devils were entering into a new era of being championship contenders, Jack’s tooth work got more permanent. The one he permanently installed was a top-level dental implant which not only looks natural but is also an upstanding fix that can efficiently handle his punishing lifestyle.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2025
jack hughes teeth 2025
By the year 2025 Jack’s smile had reached the level of that of a “superstar”. The alignment was flawless and the color was bright, presenting him as someone who can be both on the cover of GQ and celebrating a Stanley Cup quite comfortably.
Jack Hughes’ teeth in 2026 (Now)
jack hughes teeth 2026
The present-day Jack Hughes has a perfect, shining smile. He has gotten past the “”flipper“” phase and the restorations he wears permanently are so natural looking that they demonstrate that it is possible to play a very physical game and still have a movie-star smile.
Jack Hughes’ teeth: Hollywood Smile
Actually, Jack didn’t just get the teeth “”fixed””—he went for what many people refer to as Hollywood Smile. This included:
Dental Implants: To replace the teeth that were lost during ice hockey bouts.
Porcelain Veneers: So that the teeth surrounding the implants match the implants perfectly both in form and brightness.
Dental Implants in Turkey
Jack probably worked with the best sports dentists around the New York/New Jersey area but if fans want to look like that star, Turkey has risen as the worldwide destination of choice. Dental tourism in Turkey provides excellent quality titanium implants as well as E-Max veneers while at a fraction of the price of North America thereby making “Jack Hughes transformation” come within reach for everybody.
Yes, Jack Hughes underwent dental restoration after losing his front teeth during an NHL game. He transitioned from a removable flipper to permanent dental implants and veneers to restore his smile.
Jack lost his front teeth in 2021 after being struck by a high stick during a game against the Washington Capitals. While many think it happened at the Olympics, it was actually a regular-season NHL injury.
Prior to his injury and subsequent dental work, Jack had slight, natural misalignments that many fans found charming. Those have since been corrected through his cosmetic dental transformation.
While the roots of his other teeth are natural, his front teeth are high-quality prosthetic implants. These are designed to be permanent and are virtually indistinguishable from real teeth.
They are not actually black; this is usually a result of shadows in photos when he wasn't wearing his "flipper" or temporary prosthetic. Today, his teeth are a bright, healthy white.
Jack currently has dental implants and porcelain veneers. These provide a durable and aesthetic solution that allows him to maintain a perfect smile while playing a professional contact sport.
Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız
Dentistry
Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız, an internationally recognized and licensed dentist with distinguished expertise in implantology and cosmetic dentistry, has medically reviewed this article to ensure the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and relevance. With decades of combined clinical and academic experience, Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız delivers evidence-based, up-to-date insights that align with the latest global dental technologies, treatments, and best practices—empowering readers to make informed, confident decisions about their oral health and dental care.
That is a very realistic clinical concern, Tyler. Professional hockey players face continuous physical risks on the ice. We rarely place permanent titanium implants while they are still actively playing. A new hit could easily fracture the implant and severely damage the jawbone. Instead, athletes usually wear temporary flippers or protective sports retainers. This safely maintains the gap until they retire. Once their career ends, we safely place permanent implants for a lifelong smile.
It is actually a strategic combination of both treatments, Sarah. Replacing missing teeth requires durable implants or custom dental bridges. However, just fixing the gap often leaves a mismatched and uneven smile. To achieve that flawless look, we apply porcelain veneers to the surrounding natural teeth. This perfectly blends the color and shape across the entire dental arch. The final result is a seamless, highly durable, and incredibly natural aesthetic.
Severe dental trauma requires a phased medical approach over time, Kevin. Emergency treatments initially focus only on stopping pain and saving the natural root. As the athlete recovers, we slowly transition to long-term aesthetic solutions. The constant changes you notice reflect this gradual restorative journey perfectly. Temporary composite repairs are eventually replaced with high-quality, permanent ceramics. Our ultimate goal is always to build a stable, healthy, and highly resilient smile.
6 comments
Tyler
2026-04-22T17:08:10-03:00 at 5:08 PM
Man, hockey is brutal on teeth. If he gets an implant now, won’t it just get knocked out again in the next game?
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız
2026-04-22T17:37:37-03:00 at 5:37 PM
That is a very realistic clinical concern, Tyler. Professional hockey players face continuous physical risks on the ice. We rarely place permanent titanium implants while they are still actively playing. A new hit could easily fracture the implant and severely damage the jawbone. Instead, athletes usually wear temporary flippers or protective sports retainers. This safely maintains the gap until they retire. Once their career ends, we safely place permanent implants for a lifelong smile.
Sarah
2026-04-23T09:10:20-03:00 at 9:10 AM
Did he actually get veneers or just fake teeth for the missing ones? His smile looks way too perfect now.
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız
2026-04-23T09:29:54-03:00 at 9:29 AM
It is actually a strategic combination of both treatments, Sarah. Replacing missing teeth requires durable implants or custom dental bridges. However, just fixing the gap often leaves a mismatched and uneven smile. To achieve that flawless look, we apply porcelain veneers to the surrounding natural teeth. This perfectly blends the color and shape across the entire dental arch. The final result is a seamless, highly durable, and incredibly natural aesthetic.
Kevin
2026-04-23T18:14:04-03:00 at 6:14 PM
I swear his teeth look different every season. Why do athletes get their teeth fixed so many times instead of just once?
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Coşkun Yıldız
2026-04-23T18:41:37-03:00 at 6:41 PM
Severe dental trauma requires a phased medical approach over time, Kevin. Emergency treatments initially focus only on stopping pain and saving the natural root. As the athlete recovers, we slowly transition to long-term aesthetic solutions. The constant changes you notice reflect this gradual restorative journey perfectly. Temporary composite repairs are eventually replaced with high-quality, permanent ceramics. Our ultimate goal is always to build a stable, healthy, and highly resilient smile.