Aaron Judge Teeth: The Transformation of Yankee Star’s Smile
Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees star outfielder, transformed his smile by fixing his trademark gap tooth and getting dental work that completely changed his appearance and confidence on the field.
The Evolution of Aaron Judge’s Smile
Aaron Judge has been known for his impressive home runs and towering 6-foot-7 frame since he burst onto the MLB scene in 2016. However, another distinctive feature that made him instantly recognizable was his smile—specifically, the noticeable gap between his front teeth. This gap tooth became part of Judge’s trademark look during his early years with the Yankees.
In February 2021, fans and reporters noticed something different about Judge when he appeared at spring training. The gap that had been a defining characteristic of his appearance was gone. Judge had undergone dental work during the offseason, resulting in a complete transformation of his smile. The change was immediately apparent during a Zoom call with reporters, shifting attention from his baseball preparations to his new look.
The Original Gap Tooth
When Aaron Judge first joined the Yankees in 2016, his gap tooth was as much a part of his image as his towering height. The space between his front teeth was noticeable whenever he smiled, giving him a distinctive look that many fans came to associate with the young slugger. His top front teeth were also more prominent than the rest of his teeth, adding to his unique appearance.
This dental characteristic became one of Judge’s trademarks early in his career. Fans recognized him not just for his powerful swing and defensive skills but also for his gap-toothed smile that appeared in interviews, celebrations, and promotional materials.
The Chipped Tooth Incident
In July 2017, Judge’s dental situation became even more noteworthy following a celebration mishap. After Brett Gardner hit a game-winning home run in the 11th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees engaged in their typical home plate celebration. During the excitement, Judge suffered a dental injury when a batting helmet struck him in the mouth.
The incident occurred when catcher Austin Romine was jumping up and down with Gardner during the celebration. Gardner had removed his helmet before reaching home plate, as was tradition for game-ending homers, and rolled it toward home plate. Somehow, during the celebration, the helmet ended up striking Judge’s mouth with considerable force.
Judge immediately brought his hand to his mouth and quickly left for the team’s locker room. Yankees manager Joe Girardi simply stated, “Somehow he got hit in the celebration,” while a team spokesman later announced that Judge had chipped a tooth. The Yankees’ security staff was even seen searching around home plate for the chipped piece of tooth after midnight, though reports indicate it was never located.
This incident added another dental issue to Judge’s already distinctive smile. The chipped tooth, combined with his gap, became part of his image for the next few years of his career.
The Dental Transformation
When the Change Occurred
The transformation of Aaron Judge’s smile became public knowledge in February 2021 during spring training. When Judge sat down for interviews, fans and reporters immediately noticed that the gap between his front teeth had disappeared. This change occurred during the offseason between the 2020 and 2021 MLB seasons.
The timing of Judge’s dental work coincided with a period when he was working to improve various aspects of his game and physical condition. While the Yankees had not made any official announcements about Judge’s dental procedure, the visual evidence was clear when he smiled during spring training interviews and photoshoots.
The Dental Procedure
While Aaron Judge hasn’t publicly detailed the exact dental procedures he underwent, dental experts who have observed the transformation suggest he likely received porcelain veneers. This cosmetic dental procedure involves placing thin shells of porcelain over the front surface of teeth to mask imperfections such as gaps, chips, cracks, or discolorations.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made by dental technicians based on a patient’s specific tooth dimensions and color. They’re designed to look natural while providing a uniform, aesthetically pleasing appearance. The procedure typically involves removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the teeth before bonding the veneers in place.
For someone like Judge who had both a gap and a chipped tooth, veneers would offer a comprehensive solution to address multiple issues simultaneously. The procedure would not only close the gap between his front teeth but also repair the chipped tooth and create a more uniform appearance overall.
The New Look
After his dental transformation, Aaron Judge’s smile changed dramatically. The gap between his front teeth was completely closed, and his teeth appeared more uniform in size, shape, and color. The new smile featured perfectly aligned, bright white teeth that gave Judge a more polished, Hollywood-esque appearance.
The transformation was so striking that it became a topic of conversation among Yankees fans and baseball commentators. Many noted that Judge looked like a “certified man rocket” with his new smile, suggesting that the dental work had enhanced his already impressive appearance.
Impact on Judge’s Image and Confidence
Fan and Media Reaction
When Aaron Judge debuted his new smile in February 2021, the reaction from fans and media was immediate and widespread. Social media platforms buzzed with comments about the change, with many expressing surprise at the disappearance of his trademark gap.
Some fans expressed nostalgia for Judge’s original look, feeling that the gap tooth had been an endearing part of his image. Comments like “Woah woah woah woah woah hold the f*ck up is Judge’s gap gone?” reflected the shock many felt upon seeing the transformation. The change was so noticeable that it dominated discussions about Judge during spring training, sometimes overshadowing baseball-related topics.
Media outlets quickly picked up on the story, with sports websites publishing articles specifically about Judge’s dental transformation. Headlines like “BREAKING: Aaron Judge Fixed His Teeth And is Now a Certified Man Rocket” and “Yankees: Aaron Judge got his teeth fixed and looks completely different” highlighted the significance of the change in the baseball world.
The Confidence Factor
While Judge hasn’t spoken extensively about how his dental transformation affected his confidence, experts in cosmetic dentistry often note the psychological benefits of addressing dental issues. As one commentator put it, “Confidence is everything in life and teeth play a huge part in that. Judge just went from like a 7 to a hard 9 or 10 in a second.”
The concept that “you look good, you feel good, you feel good, you play good” is often cited in sports psychology. For professional athletes who are constantly in the public eye, addressing cosmetic concerns can remove distractions and boost self-confidence. Judge’s new smile may have contributed to his comfort level during interviews, photoshoots, and public appearances.
Some fans and commentators even speculated that the dental work might positively impact Judge’s performance on the field. One article noted, “The post-gap era for Aaron Judge might be one for the record books folks,” suggesting that the confidence boost from his new smile might translate to improved athletic performance.
Performance After the Transformation
Following his dental transformation before the 2021 season, Aaron Judge continued to perform at an elite level. While it’s impossible to establish a direct causal relationship between his dental work and his baseball statistics, Judge did go on to have remarkable seasons after fixing his teeth.
Most notably, in 2022, Judge had a historic season, hitting 62 home runs to break Roger Maris’s American League single-season home run record that had stood since 1961. He led the MLB in both home runs and RBIs (131) that season, narrowly missing the Triple Crown when he finished second in batting average to Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins.
Whether his new smile contributed to this success is speculative, but the timing of his career-best season coming after his dental transformation is an interesting coincidence that some fans have noted.
The Science and Benefits of Dental Work for Athletes
Potential Health Connections
Some sports medicine research suggests connections between dental health and overall physical performance. According to sources cited in discussions about Judge’s dental work, there may be scientific links between teeth and injuries. While the specific research wasn’t detailed in the available information, the concept that dental issues could potentially impact other aspects of physical health isn’t without precedent in sports medicine.
Proper dental alignment can affect bite mechanics, which in turn can influence jaw positioning and potentially even posture. For athletes who rely on precise body mechanics, addressing dental issues might have benefits beyond cosmetics. Additionally, dental problems like infections or inflammation can cause systemic inflammation that might affect recovery and performance.
Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Athletes
Professional athletes like Aaron Judge have access to top-tier cosmetic dentistry options. For those looking to address gaps, chips, or other dental imperfections, several procedures are commonly used:
- Porcelain Veneers: Thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front of teeth to mask imperfections. These are durable and can withstand normal biting forces, though precautions should be taken with very hard foods.
- Dental Bonding: A procedure where tooth-colored resin is applied to repair chips or close small gaps. This is less invasive than veneers but typically doesn’t last as long.
- Invisalign or Orthodontics: For addressing gaps through tooth movement rather than cosmetic covering, clear aligners or traditional braces can be used to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment.
- Dental Crowns: For more severely damaged teeth, crowns that cover the entire visible portion of the tooth may be recommended.
For Judge, who had both a gap and a chipped tooth, veneers would provide a comprehensive solution addressing multiple issues simultaneously while requiring relatively little maintenance—an important consideration for a professional athlete with a demanding schedule.
The Psychological Edge
The psychological benefits of cosmetic dental work shouldn’t be underestimated, especially for public figures like professional athletes. When someone feels self-conscious about their smile, it can affect how they interact with others, how comfortable they feel in front of cameras, and potentially even their focus during competition.
By addressing cosmetic dental concerns, athletes like Judge can eliminate a potential source of self-consciousness or distraction. The resulting confidence boost may contribute to improved performance, though such effects are difficult to measure objectively.
As one commentator noted regarding Judge’s transformation, “You think he liked walking around with his teeth all messed up his whole life? My man finally got some dental insurance and took care of that shit. I’m all for it. MVP season on deck.”
Aaron Judge’s Career Highlights and Public Image
Rise to MLB Stardom
Aaron Judge’s journey to becoming one of baseball’s biggest stars began when he was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. After working his way through the minor leagues, Judge made his MLB debut in August 2016, hitting a home run in his first at-bat.
His breakout season came in 2017 when he hit 52 home runs, breaking Mark McGwire’s rookie record. Judge won the American League Rookie of the Year award unanimously and finished second in AL MVP voting that season. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 282 pounds, Judge quickly became known for his towering presence and prodigious power.
Throughout his early career, Judge’s gap-toothed smile was part of his image as he rose to prominence. The combination of his impressive physical stature, tremendous power, and distinctive smile made him one of the most recognizable players in baseball.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Judge’s career has been marked by impressive accomplishments, particularly in the power-hitting department. His most notable achievement came in 2022 when he hit 62 home runs, breaking Roger Maris’s American League single-season record of 61 that had stood since 1961.
This historic season came after Judge had already transformed his smile. During his record-breaking 2022 campaign, fans saw plenty of his new smile as he rounded the bases after each of his 62 home runs. Judge’s achievement was particularly significant because many baseball purists consider Maris’s record (and now Judge’s) to be the “clean” home run record, as it surpassed the marks set during baseball’s steroid era.
Before breaking Maris’s record, Judge had tied Babe Ruth’s personal best of 60 home runs (set in 1927) on September 20, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He then hit his 61st to tie Maris on September 28 against the Toronto Blue Jays, before finally breaking the record with his 62nd homer on October 4 against the Texas Rangers.
Public Persona and Marketability
Throughout his career, Judge has maintained a positive public image characterized by professionalism, humility, and leadership. His demeanor both on and off the field has made him a fan favorite and a marketable star for the Yankees and MLB as a whole.
Judge’s decision to fix his teeth may have been partly influenced by considerations about his public image and marketability. As a face of the Yankees franchise and one of baseball’s most prominent stars, Judge appears in numerous advertisements, photoshoots, and media appearances. His new smile might enhance his appeal in these contexts, potentially leading to more endorsement opportunities.
However, it’s worth noting that Judge’s gap tooth had become part of his recognizable image, similar to how Michael Strahan’s gap tooth became part of his brand. Judge’s decision to change this distinctive feature represents a personal choice to alter an aspect of his appearance that had become associated with his public persona.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Aaron Judge fix his teeth?
Aaron Judge fixed his teeth during the offseason between the 2020 and 2021 MLB seasons. The change became public knowledge in February 2021 when he appeared at spring training with his gap tooth noticeably absent. Reporters and fans immediately noticed the transformation during interviews and media sessions at the Yankees’ spring training facility.
What dental procedure did Aaron Judge likely have?
While Aaron Judge hasn’t publicly detailed his dental procedure, based on the before and after appearance, dental experts suggest he likely received porcelain veneers. This cosmetic dental treatment involves placing thin shells of porcelain over the front surface of teeth to address issues like gaps, chips, and irregularities.
Veneers would explain how both his gap was closed and his chipped tooth was repaired simultaneously, creating a uniform, aesthetically pleasing smile.
How did Aaron Judge chip his tooth?
Aaron Judge chipped his tooth during a game celebration on July 27, 2017. After teammate Brett Gardner hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees gathered at home plate to celebrate. During the excitement, a batting helmet struck Judge in the mouth.
Video analysis suggested that the helmet was on catcher Austin Romine as he jumped up and down, and the force of his leap caused the helmet to hit Judge’s mouth, resulting in a chipped tooth.
Did Aaron Judge’s new teeth affect his performance?
There’s no direct evidence that Aaron Judge’s dental transformation directly affected his on-field performance. However, Judge did have a historic 2022 season after fixing his teeth, hitting 62 home runs to break Roger Maris’s American League single-season record.
While correlation doesn’t imply causation, some sports psychology principles suggest that increased confidence from addressing cosmetic concerns can potentially contribute to improved performance. The timing of Judge’s career-best season coming after his dental work is an interesting coincidence.
Why would a professional athlete choose to fix their teeth?
Professional athletes might choose to fix their teeth for various reasons, including:
- Enhanced confidence and self-image, which may indirectly benefit performance
- Improved marketability for endorsements and media appearances
- Prevention of potential health issues that could arise from dental problems
- Personal comfort and satisfaction with their appearance
- Addressing functional issues that might affect speaking, eating, or other activities
For someone like Aaron Judge who is frequently in the public eye, dental aesthetics can be an important consideration both personally and professionally.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
