When Gaten Matarazzo first appeared on our screens in 2016 as Dustin Henderson, he didn’t just bring a love for Dungeons & Dragons and a sharp wit to Hawkins. He brought a visible, physical reality that most of Hollywood usually filters out. You probably remember that iconic scene in the pilot where the school bullies mock him, telling him to "do the arm thing." Dustin doesn't shy away. He explains, quite bluntly, that he has cleidocranial dysplasia.
That wasn't just some clever bit of character writing.
It was real.
The producers of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, actually integrated Gaten’s real-life medical condition into the show after he was cast. It changed the character of Dustin from a generic "nerd" archetype into one of the most significant moments of disability representation in modern television. People were obsessed. They searched for "Dustin’s teeth" because they’d never seen a kid on a hit show who looked—or sounded—quite like him.
What Exactly is Cleidocranial Dysplasia?
Let’s get into the weeds of the science because it’s actually pretty fascinating. Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic condition. It primarily affects the development of bones and teeth. Most people have two collarbones (clavicles), but people with CCD might have underdeveloped ones or none at all. That’s why Dustin can make his shoulders touch in the front of his chest. It looks like a "party trick," but it's a byproduct of a skeletal difference.
The teeth are where it gets really complicated.
In a typical mouth, baby teeth fall out and adult teeth move in. With CCD, that process basically hits a brick wall. Adult teeth often don't erupt on their own. They stay trapped in the gums. Frequently, people with CCD have "supernumerary" teeth, which is just a fancy way of saying they have way too many extra teeth crowded in their jaw, blocking the path for anything to grow in correctly.
Gaten has been incredibly open about this. He’s gone through dozens of surgeries. If you watched the show closely, you saw his look evolve. In Season 1, he had no front teeth. By Season 2, he had those "pearls"—false teeth or veneers that he wore for the character. By the later seasons, after real-life dental procedures, his smile changed again.
The Evolution of Dustin's Smile Across the Seasons
Watching Stranger Things is like watching a time-lapse of Gaten’s dental journey. In the beginning, his lisp was a core part of his performance. It wasn't an act. It was the result of missing teeth and the shape of his jaw.
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The Duffers leaned into it.
Remember the "Grrr" purr he does? It became a meme, sure, but it also humanized a condition that many people had never even heard of. By the time Season 2 rolled around, the plot actually addressed Dustin's new teeth. He was proud of them. He showed them off to Steve Harrington. But behind the scenes, Gaten was wearing a prosthetic appliance.
It’s kind of wild to think about.
Most child actors are pressured to look "perfect" from day one. If a kid has a gap in their teeth, agents are usually calling a dentist before the first callback. But Stranger Things thrived on authenticity. They wanted Dustin to be a real kid. Gaten once told The Doctors that the condition is one in a million. He was rejected for hundreds of roles before Hawkins because of his teeth and his height. Then, suddenly, the very thing that kept him out of the room became the thing that made him a global star.
Dealing with the Surgeries
This isn't just a "show" thing. It’s a life thing. In 2020, Gaten shared a photo on Instagram after his fourth major surgery. He told fans that surgeons had removed 14 supernumerary teeth and exposed six of his adult teeth.
Think about that for a second.
Fourteen extra teeth. The recovery for that kind of oral surgery is brutal. You aren't just popping an aspirin and going back to work. You're dealing with bone grafts, stitches, and a massive amount of swelling. Yet, he stayed public about it. He used his platform to boost CCD Smiles, a non-profit that helps families afford the massive dental bills associated with the condition. Since dental work for CCD is often classified as "cosmetic" by insurance companies—which is total nonsense—many families can't afford the $20,000 to $100,000 price tags for reconstruction.
Why This Mattered for 80s Authenticity
There is a subtle genius to having Dustin have cleidocranial dysplasia in a show set in the 1980s. Back then, kids with physical differences weren't always "mainstreamed" or given the kind of support they have now. They were just... the kids in the neighborhood.
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By letting Dustin be himself, the show captured a level of 80s grit that a "perfect" cast wouldn't have reached.
Dustin’s confidence is his superpower. He isn't the "victim" of his condition. He’s the smartest guy in the room. He’s the one who figures out the gate to the Upside Down. He’s the one who navigates the Russian radio signals. His teeth (or lack thereof) never defined his intellect or his value to the party. That’s why fans reacted so strongly.
Common Misconceptions About Dustin's Teeth
I’ve seen a lot of weird theories online. No, Gaten didn't lose his teeth in an accident. No, it’s not a "prop" he wears just for the character (though he did wear veneers in certain seasons).
- Is it contagious? No. It's genetic.
- Does it hurt? The condition itself isn't necessarily painful, but the surgeries to fix the dental issues certainly are.
- Can he grow a collarbone? No, the bone structure is set, but many people with CCD live perfectly healthy, active lives.
The most important thing to realize is that "Dustin's teeth" aren't a plot point—they are a reality for Gaten. When he’s filming those high-intensity scenes running from Demogorgons, he’s doing it with the same physical constraints he has in real life.
The Impact on the CCD Community
Before Stranger Things, if you had CCD, you probably spent your whole life explaining it to people. Over and over.
"Why don't you have teeth?"
"Why can you do that with your shoulders?"
Now, kids can just say, "I have what Dustin has."
That is massive. Gaten has mentioned in several interviews that he receives messages from people all over the world thanking him for making them feel less like an outcast. It’s the "Cobra Kai" effect or the "Hawkins" effect—where "nerdy" or "different" traits are reframed as badges of honor.
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The non-profit Gaten works with, CCD Smiles, has seen a huge uptick in awareness because of the show. They provide a community for people who feel isolated. Because the condition is so rare, you might be the only person in your entire city who has it. Seeing Dustin Henderson be the hero of the most popular show on Netflix? That changes the internal narrative for a lot of people.
Looking Toward the Final Season
As we head into the conclusion of the series, Dustin’s look has stabilized. Gaten is an adult now. His dental journey is much further along than it was when he was twelve. But the legacy of those early seasons remains.
Dustin’s teeth became a symbol of the show's heart.
It taught a whole generation of viewers that you don't need a "perfect" Hollywood smile to be the lead. You just need to be the person who knows how to use a compass and isn't afraid to stand up to a bully—or a mind flayer.
If you or someone you know is dealing with dental issues similar to Gaten's, the best first step is seeking out a specialist who understands rare genetic bone disorders. General dentists often aren't equipped to handle the complexities of supernumerary teeth. Look for craniofacial teams at major university hospitals; they usually have the multi-disciplinary approach (orthodontics, oral surgery, and genetics) required for cleidocranial dysplasia.
In the meantime, you can support the cause by checking out Gaten’s preferred charity, CCD Smiles, which continues to fund surgeries for those who don't have a Netflix-sized budget to fix their smiles. Dustin Henderson might be a fictional character, but the impact of his smile is very, very real.
Actionable Next Steps:
To learn more about the specifics of this condition or to find support, visit the official CCD Smiles website. If you are a fan of the show, re-watching Season 1 with an eye on Gaten’s performance provides a great masterclass in how an actor can use their natural physical traits to add depth and authenticity to a role. For those interested in the medical side, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers detailed genetic breakdowns of the RUNX2 gene mutation responsible for the condition.