It’s been a wild ride watching Tammy Slaton. From the days of needing a wheelchair to get around the grocery store to literally dropping over 500 pounds, the 1000-lb Sisters star has basically reinvented herself from the ground up. But while everyone was busy talking about her skin removal surgery or her new ability to sit in a regular car seat, something else was going on. Something that fans had been bugging her about for years.
I’m talking about the Tammy Slaton teeth transformation.
Honestly, it’s one of the most relatable parts of her journey. If you’ve followed the show since the beginning, you know the "gap" in her front teeth was practically her trademark. Trolls were brutal about it. They’d flood her TikTok comments telling her to "fix them teeth" instead of focusing on her weight loss. It was nasty. In January 2024, she finally snapped back, telling people that those comments were killing her confidence when she was trying so hard to stay positive.
Fast forward to late 2025, and Tammy finally showed up with a brand-new smile. It wasn't just a quick fix, though. It was a whole process.
The Reality of the New Smile
In August 2025, Tammy hopped on the Creative Chaos podcast and just... smiled. Like, a full, beaming, no-gap smile. The host, Hunter Ezell, was as shocked as the rest of us. He straight-up asked her to "show them chompers," and she didn't hold back.
But here’s the thing people get wrong: it wasn’t a one-day makeover.
Tammy explained that she got a dental bridge through Aspen Dental. For anyone who isn't a dental nerd, a bridge is basically a set of false teeth that "bridges" the gap where teeth are missing. They’re anchored to the natural teeth next to them.
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It sounds simple, right? It wasn't.
Tammy’s body actually fought the change. She told the podcast listeners that they originally tried to use glue, but it wouldn't hold. Her words? "My body was rejecting it." They eventually had to pull more teeth and actually cement the bridge in place to keep it from falling out. Even now, she’s called them "temporary" because dental work at this level is a marathon, not a sprint.
Why the Wait?
People always asked, "Why didn't she do this sooner?" Especially once the TLC money started coming in.
There were a few huge hurdles:
- The Physical Risk: Back when Tammy was 700+ pounds, even sitting in a dental chair was dangerous. Most standard dental chairs have weight limits (usually around 300 to 400 pounds). If she had tried to get major oral surgery back then, the equipment might not have even held her, and the anesthesia would have been a massive risk for her heart and lungs.
- The Cost: Dental work is expensive. Like, "down payment on a house" expensive. Even though she’s a reality star, Tammy has been vocal about the fact that saving up for cosmetic dental work wasn't easy while paying for other medical expenses.
- Health Priorities: She had to get her weight under control first. You can’t really worry about a gap in your teeth when you’re fighting for your life on a ventilator.
Weight Loss and Your Teeth: The Hidden Connection
What most people don't realize is that losing 500 pounds—which Tammy did, dropping from 725 to 238—actually messes with your mouth.
When you undergo bariatric surgery, your body absorbs nutrients differently. If you aren't careful with vitamins, your hair, nails, and teeth can take a hit. There’s also the issue of "bone loss" in the jaw. If you’ve been missing a tooth for 20 years, like Tammy was, the jawbone in that area starts to shrink because it has nothing to hold onto.
This is probably why she needed a bridge instead of just getting a simple implant. Implants require a certain amount of bone density, and if that bone is gone, you’re looking at bone grafts and months of healing that Tammy might not have been ready for yet.
"Haters Make Me Famous"
One of the best moments of the Tammy Slaton teeth transformation reveal was her attitude. When Ezell joked that her new teeth would finally get the critics off her back, she just laughed.
"Some of them," she said.
She’s realized that people will always find something to nitpick. If it’s not her weight, it’s her skin. If it’s not her skin, it’s her teeth. If it’s not her teeth, it’s her "bat wings" (the loose skin on her arms).
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By getting the dental work done, she wasn't just "fixing" a flaw for the fans. She was doing it for her own confidence. You could see it in her face during the podcast—she was smiling wider than she ever had on TLC. She’s finally at a place where she isn't hiding behind her hands or a scowl.
What’s Next for Tammy’s Dental Journey?
She isn't done. Tammy was very clear that this is still a "process."
A bridge often needs adjustments. Since she’s still losing weight and her face shape is changing as the swelling from her skin removal surgery goes down, her bite might shift. She’ll likely need more permanent fixtures once her weight stabilizes completely.
Plus, there’s the maintenance. After years of struggling with basic self-care due to her size, she’s had to relearn the importance of a strict oral hygiene routine. You can’t just put in a bridge and forget about it; you’ve got to keep those anchor teeth healthy or the whole thing fails.
Actionable Takeaways from Tammy’s Transformation
If you’re looking at your own smile and thinking about a change, here’s what we can learn from Tammy’s experience:
- Weight Matters for Surgery: If you’re planning major dental work involving sedation, your overall BMI and lung health are huge factors. Doctors often require you to hit certain health milestones before they'll even put you in the chair.
- Bridges vs. Implants: Don’t assume you can just "get a new tooth." If you’ve had a gap for a long time, an implant might not be an option without a bone graft. A bridge is a common, effective alternative, but it involves the teeth next to the gap.
- The "Rejection" Factor: Your mouth is sensitive. Like Tammy, some people find that their gums or surrounding teeth don't take to the dental adhesive or the "fit" of a new bridge right away. It takes adjustments.
- Confidence is the Goal: Don't do it for the "haters." Do it because you want to be able to laugh without covering your mouth.
Tammy Slaton is currently weighing in at around 216 to 238 pounds depending on the latest update, and she’s living a life she never thought possible. The teeth were just the "cherry on top" of a massive, multi-year overhaul of her entire existence. Whether you love her or hate her, you've got to admit: the woman has grit.
If you're considering a similar dental path, the first step is a comprehensive consultation with a restorative dentist to see if your bone density can support an implant or if a bridge is the better move for your specific situation. Check your insurance for "restorative" vs. "cosmetic" coverage, as that determines if you're paying $500 or $5,000.