Is it permissible to use artificial teeth?
Question:
Is it permissible to use artificial teeth, considering that the Prophet (PBUH) cursed those who attach hair?
Answer:
Islam permits the use of artificial body parts in case of necessity.
The Prophet (PBUH) allowed a companion to use a gold nose when his nose was injured in battle.
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَعْمَرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَبَّانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَلْمُ بْنُ زَرِيرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ طَرَفَةَ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَرْفَجَةَ بْنِ أَسْعَدَ أَنَّهُ أُصِيبَ أَنْفُهُ يَوْمَ الْكُلاَبِ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَاتَّخَذَ أَنْفًا مِنْ وَرِقٍ فَأَنْتَنَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ أَنْفًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ .
It was narrated from ‘Arafah bin As’ad that: His nose was cut off at the battle of Al-Kulab during the Jahiliyyah, so he wore a nose made of silver, but it began to rot, so the Prophet [SAW] told him to wear a nose made of gold.
Sunan an-Nasa’i 5161
The companion ʿArfaja ibn Asʿad reported that after his nose was injured in the pre-Islamic period during the Battle of Kulāb, he initially used a silver nose, which caused an odor. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed him to use a gold nose instead (Narrated by al-Nasā’ī).
Based on this, using artificial teeth is permissible if one’s teeth are lost.
Although gold is generally prohibited for men, its use is allowed for medical purposes. Silver, in certain situations, may cause odor, making gold a practical alternative for prosthetics like noses or teeth.
The prohibition of attaching hair (wig) for women has no connection with the use of artificial teeth.
Key Differences Between Hair and Teeth:
- Hair loss affects appearance but does not impact basic functions.
- Teeth are essential for chewing food and clear speech. Losing them can cause functional difficulties.
Thus, using artificial teeth cannot be equated with wearing wigs, and it is permissible.