What happened to Shane MacGowan's teeth? His dental journey and transformation
Shane MacGowan's teeth were severely damaged as a result of long years of alcohol and drug abuse. He had an incomplete and irregular set, which was visible when he opened his mouth to sing or talk. He later underwent dental work to fix them, including implants and a gold tooth.

Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was a renowned singer from Pembury, United Kingdom, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the Celtic punk band The Pogues.
- His teeth were extensively damaged by his drinking and drug use, leading to a longstanding reputation for having inferior teeth.
- The British-born Irish singer-songwriter and musician lost the last of his natural teeth in 2008.
- In December 2015, he underwent a nine-hour dental procedure to restore his teeth, which included a new set secured by eight titanium dental implants and a gold tooth.
- MacGowan died on 30 November 2023 from pneumonia, aged 65, with his wife and sister-in-law by his side.
What happened to Shane MacGowan's teeth?
Shane MacGowan's teeth were severely affected by heavy drinking and drug use, leading to most of them decaying or falling out. He lost his last natural teeth around 2008. Although a successful singer and songwriter, he was widely recognised for his terrible teeth.

Source: UGC
His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, stated that his "dodgy teeth and not caring about it" attracted her to him, seeing it as a sign of rebelliousness and a non-conformist spirit.
Where did Shane McGowan's teeth get fixed?
Shane McGowan's teeth were fixed in Dublin, Ireland, by Dr Darragh Mulrooney, an Irish dental surgeon and a fan of The Pogues. The process was featured in a Sky Arts documentary titled Shane MacGowan: A Wreck Reborn. The procedure, which took nine hours, involved fitting crowns on his upper teeth, veneers on his lower teeth, and four dental implants with implant crowns to replace missing teeth.

Read also
Kenya newspapers review: Boniface Kariuki's mum says he promised not to join demos day before death
Dr Mulrooney described the task as "Everest dentistry," requiring a whole team. The new teeth were secured by eight titanium dental implants. Victoria Clarke observed that Shane looked 20 years younger after the procedure and smiled frequently.
Shane MacGowan's teeth before and after

Source: UGC
Photographs taken before and after the dental work clearly illustrate the extent of the damage. His teeth were decayed, discoloured, and misaligned due to long-term neglect and substance abuse, with missing teeth and damaged jaws impacting his overall oral health.
Following the dental procedure, he had a more appealing smile. His new teeth appeared more aligned, healthier, and whiter, significantly enhancing his appearance. He spent the eight years after the surgery smiling. While Victoria noted he was hospitalised four times with back trouble, she highlighted his joy after the surgery.
FAQs
- Why were Shane McGowan's teeth so bad? Shane McGowan's teeth were severely damaged due to alcohol and drug abuse, leading to them falling out. He lost his last natural tooth in 2008.
- Who was Shane MacGowan's dentist? Shane MacGowan's dentist was Dr Darragh Mulrooney. He is an Irish dental surgeon.
- Why did Shane MacGowan never get his teeth fixed? Shane MacGowan never got his teeth fixed due to his longstanding fear of dentists.
- When did Shane MacGowan fix his teeth? Shane MacGowan fixed his teeth in December 2015.
- How were Shane MacGowan's teeth fixed? Shane MacGowan's teeth were fixed through a procedure that included a titanium frame with 28 new dentures and a gold tooth at the front.
- How long was Shane McGowan's teeth procedure? Shane McGowan's teeth procedure took nine hours and was documented in Shane MacGowan: A Wreck Reborn, aired on Sky Arts.
- Did Shane McGowan experience complications after his teeth were fixed? Yes, Shane MacGowan experienced complications after his dental procedure. He was briefly hospitalised for an infection and also four times with back trouble.
- How did Shane McGowan die? Shane McGowan died from pneumonia complications at the age of 65.
Wrapping up
What happened to Shane MacGowan's teeth? Shane MacGowan's teeth were famously decayed and misaligned due to years of neglect and substance abuse. In December 2015, he underwent a nine-hour procedure to correct this, resulting in a new set of teeth secured by eight titanium dental implants and one gold tooth. He lived for eight years after the procedure, passing away on 30 November 2023.
Tuko.co.ke recently published an article about Matt Rife before plastic surgery. Matt is an American comedian and actor. The actor's young look has resulted in many speculations that he has undergone surgery.
The American actor has not had plastic surgery, and he credits his changing appearance to delayed puberty, natural growth, and dental veneers. Keep reading to learn more about the rumour and the dental procedure he underwent to get veneers.
Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke