Home / Sports / Hockey Player's Tooth Saga: From Broken to Prosthetic and Back
Hockey Player's Tooth Saga: From Broken to Prosthetic and Back
12 Nov
Summary
- NHL veteran Patrick Brown has lost multiple teeth due to hockey injuries
- Brown's tooth was shattered by a high stick and later completely knocked out by an elbow
- Players often opt for temporary prosthetics to avoid permanent dental work until retirement
As of November 12th, 2025, NHL veteran Patrick Brown's tooth saga has been a long and painful one. The 164-game NHL player has suffered multiple dental injuries over the years, including losing one tooth completely after it was shattered by a high stick when he was 18 and later having the same tooth completely knocked out by an elbow to the face in 2022.
Brown's story is not unique in the world of professional hockey. Many players, like his AHL linemate Riley Duran, have faced similar dental trauma, whether from pucks, sticks, or collisions. The players often opt for temporary prosthetics, known as "flippers," to maintain an acceptable smile in public, rather than undergoing permanent dental work that could be jeopardized by future injuries on the ice.
Dentists who work with NHL teams emphasize the importance of mouth guards to prevent such dental disasters, but their use is not mandatory. As a result, hockey players continue to risk losing their teeth, which they sometimes view as a "badge of honor" for their toughness. However, the long-term consequences can be significant, as players must weigh the risks of permanent dental work against the likelihood of sustaining further injuries.
