Gaten Matarazzo teeth became internationally recognized as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things, but one of the most frequently discussed aspects of his appearance is something much more personal: Gaten Matarazzo teeth. His distinctive smile is linked to cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that affects bone and tooth development.
Rather than hiding the condition, Matarazzo has spoken publicly about it and used his celebrity platform to raise awareness. His experience with delayed tooth development, extra teeth, dental procedures, and surgeries eventually became part of the public conversation surrounding his career.
For fans searching for information about Gaten Matarazzo teeth, the story isn’t simply about how his smile looks. It is also about growing up with a condition that made him visibly different from many children around him, undergoing medical treatment, and turning an unusual personal circumstance into an opportunity for advocacy.
Who Is Gaten Matarazzo?
Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor best known for playing Dustin Henderson in the Netflix series Stranger Things. His full birth name is Gaetano John Matarazzo III, though he is professionally known as Gaten Matarazzo.
Born on 8 September 2002 in New London, Connecticut, Matarazzo was raised in New Jersey. As of September 2026, he is 24.
His career began well before Stranger Things. As a child, he developed an interest in performing and eventually appeared on Broadway. He played Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and later appeared as Gavroche in Les Misérables.
His breakthrough came in 2016 when Stranger Things premiered. Dustin quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable characters, and Matarazzo became a global celebrity.
What Happened to Gaten Matarazzo Teeth?
Gaten Matarazzo’s teeth are explained by cleidocranial dysplasia, commonly abbreviated as CCD.
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare genetic condition that can affect bone development, particularly the skull and collarbones, as well as the teeth. Dental effects can include delayed eruption of permanent teeth and the presence of supernumerary, or extra, teeth.
For Matarazzo, the condition affected his teeth’s development and eruption. This meant his dental development did not follow the same timetable as most children.
The condition also contributed to the physical characteristics that viewers noticed when he first appeared on Stranger Things.
Why Did Dustin Have Missing Teeth?
The missing or developing teeth seen in Dustin were not simply a cosmetic choice for television.
Matarazzo actually lives with cleidocranial dysplasia, and the condition affects his teeth. When Stranger Things was being developed, the show’s creators incorporated his real-life condition into Dustin’s character.
This created an unusual connection between actor and character. Dustin’s explanation of his condition in the series helped introduce millions of viewers to a disorder many people had never heard of.
The Gaten Matarazzo teeth therefore became part of the storytelling rather than something the production attempted to hide.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Dental Surgeries
Matarazzo has undergone multiple dental procedures related to cleidocranial dysplasia.
One of the most widely reported procedures took place in January 2020, when he announced that he was preparing for his fourth surgery related to the condition.
Following that procedure, he explained that doctors had removed 14 supernumerary teeth and exposed six adult teeth. He described the operation as major and said his recovery was going well.
The experience illustrates why cleidocranial dysplasia can involve much more than late-appearing teeth. For some patients, treatment can involve complex dental planning and multiple procedures.
Matarazzo has also spoken about the difficulty of finding dental professionals familiar with CCD. His public comments have highlighted the importance of specialized dental knowledge for people living with the condition.
How Cleidocranial Dysplasia Affected His Childhood
Growing up with a visible genetic condition was not always easy for Matarazzo.
During his childhood, his physical differences drew attention. His dental development was particularly noticeable because other children his age were developing their adult teeth while his own were delayed.
That difference became especially relevant when he entered the entertainment industry.
Instead of allowing the condition to become something he needed to conceal, Matarazzo eventually became comfortable discussing it publicly. His openness has been particularly significant because children with uncommon medical conditions can sometimes feel isolated when they believe they are the only person experiencing something unusual.
His story has since moved beyond celebrity gossip into a broader conversation about disability, medical treatment, and self-confidence.
Gaten Matarazzo and CCD Awareness
Matarazzo has used his public profile to promote awareness of cleidocranial dysplasia.
He has supported CCD Smiles, an organization focused on helping people affected by the condition and increasing awareness of the dental challenges associated with CCD.
His advocacy has included encouraging fans to learn more about the condition and supporting efforts connected with dental care and research.
The connection between Matarazzo and CCD awareness became particularly powerful because of his role on Stranger Things. Millions of viewers first learned about the condition through Dustin Henderson.
In that sense, his career gave him an unusual platform: an issue that could have remained deeply personal became something he could discuss publicly and constructively.
Early Life and Family
Gaten Matarazzo was born to Heather Matarazzo and Gaetano Matarazzo Jr. His family has Italian ancestry, with roots in Avellino, Italy.
He grew up in New Jersey with his older sister, Sabrina, and younger brother, Carmen.
His siblings have also been involved in entertainment-related activities, although Gaten remains the most prominent performer in the family.
His upbringing encouraged his interest in performance. He received vocal training at the Starlight Performing Arts Centre in New Jersey and developed an early interest in musical theatre.
Education
Matarazzo attended Pinelands Regional High School in New Jersey and graduated in 2020.
His education unfolded alongside an increasingly demanding acting career. By his teenage years, Stranger Things had become an international success, requiring him to balance school with filming, publicity, travel, and public appearances.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Broadway Career
Before television made him famous, Matarazzo gained Broadway experience.
His professional theatre career began when he was still a child. He appeared in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and later played Gavroche in Les Misérables.
Broadway gave him experience with live audiences, musical performance, choreography, and the discipline required for professional theatre.
That background later proved valuable on Stranger Things, where his performance combined comedy, emotion, and musical timing.
Gaten Matarazzo and Stranger Things
Matarazzo’s defining role came in 2016 when he was cast as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things.
Dustin was written as intelligent, enthusiastic, funny, and loyal. His friendship with the other young characters became a central emotional element of the series.
Matarazzo’s performance quickly made him one of the show’s breakout young stars.
The producers also incorporated his real-life cleidocranial dysplasia into Dustin’s character. This decision meant the actor didn’t have to pretend his dental differences didn’t exist.
Instead, Dustin openly explained his condition in the story.
That representation was unusual for a mainstream science-fiction series and helped introduce CCD to a much larger audience.
Other Acting and Television Work
Although Stranger Things remains Matarazzo’s most famous project, his career has extended beyond the Netflix series.
He hosted the Netflix hidden-camera program Prank Encounters and appeared in the 2022 film Honour Society.
He also provided voice work for animated productions, including My Father’s Dragon and Animal Farm.
His entertainment work demonstrates an effort to develop beyond one character. Theatre, television, film, hosting, and voice acting have all formed part of his professional career.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Personal Life
Matarazzo has generally kept his private life relatively separate from his professional career, although his long-term relationship has received considerable public attention.
He has been in a relationship with actress Elizabeth Yu since 2018. They began dating as teenagers and have continued their relationship while pursuing separate acting careers.
In 2026, Matarazzo discussed their relationship publicly and described communication and managing periods of distance as important to maintaining it.
Yu is also an actress and is known for playing Princess Azula in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
No reliable public information indicates that Matarazzo and Yu are married or have children. As a result, treat claims to the contrary with caution.
Does Gaten Matarazzo Have Children?
No reliable public reports confirm that Gaten Matarazzo has children.
He is known to be in a long-term relationship with Elizabeth Yu, but the couple has not publicly announced having children.
Because celebrities can keep family matters private, the lack of public information should not be taken as a statement about every aspect of their private lives.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Net Worth
Gaten Matarazzo’s exact net worth is not publicly verified.
Various entertainment websites publish estimates of his wealth, often based on reported acting salaries, television work, film projects, endorsements, and other professional activities. However, these figures are not official financial statements.
For that reason, do not present a specific net-worth number as fact.
What is clear is that his career has included a long-running hit television series, Broadway work, film appearances, hosting, voice acting, and brand-related opportunities.
Public Appearances and Advocacy
Matarazzo has appeared at entertainment events, award ceremonies, premieres, interviews, and public awareness events.
His public appearances have also included advocacy related to cleidocranial dysplasia.
One important part of his public role has been explaining that people with CCD can experience significant dental challenges. His discussions have helped shift attention away from simply describing his teeth as unusual and toward understanding the medical reason behind those differences.
His experience also highlights an important distinction between appearance and health. What viewers see as a celebrity’s distinctive smile can sometimes reflect a complex medical condition that requires years of treatment.
Social Media
Gaten Matarazzo maintains a public social media presence, particularly on Instagram, where he has shared professional updates, photographs, personal moments, and advocacy-related information.
His widely reported Instagram handle is @gatenm123.
Social media has also given Matarazzo a direct way to communicate with fans about his medical journey, including past surgeries and cleidocranial dysplasia awareness.
Life Today
Today, Matarazzo is an established young actor whose career has moved beyond the child-star stage.
With Stranger Things having completed its run, his professional path now has room to expand into different films, television productions, voice work, theatre, and other creative projects.
His experience with CCD remains an important part of his public story, but it is not the entirety of his identity.
For many viewers, the most interesting part of the Gaten Matarazzo teeth story is how something that once made him feel different eventually became an important part of a character loved by millions.
His career shows how personal experiences can influence on-screen representation without defining an actor’s entire professional identity.
Why Gaten Matarazzo Teeth Became Part of His Story
The attention surrounding Gaten Matarazzo teeth is closely connected to the authenticity of his Stranger Things character.
Rather than digitally changing his appearance or asking him to conceal his condition, the series incorporated cleidocranial dysplasia into Dustin’s story.
That decision gave audiences a recognizable character who openly discussed a rare condition.
For Matarazzo, however, the story began long before Hollywood. His dental development, surgeries, childhood experiences, and advocacy existed before millions of viewers knew his name.
The public attention surrounding his smile therefore represents only one part of a much broader journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wrong with Gaten Matarazzo teeth?
Gaten Matarazzo has cleidocranial dysplasia, a genetic condition that can affect tooth development and eruption. It can also result in supernumerary, or extra, teeth.
Did Gaten Matarazzo have dental surgery?
Yes. Matarazzo has undergone multiple procedures related to cleidocranial dysplasia. In 2020, he publicly discussed his fourth surgery and reported that 14 extra teeth had been removed and six adult teeth had been exposed.
Does Gaten Matarazzo really have cleidocranial dysplasia?
Yes. His condition is real and was incorporated into Dustin Henderson’s character in Stranger Things.
Why does Dustin have missing teeth in Stranger Things?
Dustin’s missing or developing teeth reflect Matarazzo’s real-life cleidocranial dysplasia. The writers incorporated the actor’s condition into the character.
Who is Gaten Matarazzo dating?
Gaten Matarazzo teeth has been in a long-term relationship with actress Elizabeth Yu since 2018. They began dating as teenagers.
Does Gaten Matarazzo have children?
No reliable public reports confirm that Matarazzo has children.
How old is Gaten Matarazzo?
Gaten Matarazzo was born on 8 September 2002. He will turn 24 in September 2026.
Final Perspective
Gaten Matarazzo teeth story is about considerably more than a distinctive smile.
Gaten Matarazzo teeth became noticeable because they were connected to cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that affected his childhood and required significant dental treatment. Yet the same characteristic eventually became part of one of television’s most recognizable young characters.
From Broadway to Stranger Things, Matarazzo built a career while openly discussing a condition that many people knew little about. His willingness to talk about his experiences has helped increase awareness of CCD and the dental challenges associated with it.
Today, he is recognized not only as the actor behind Dustin Henderson but also as a performer who has used an intensely personal part of his life to encourage greater understanding. His story shows that a physical difference doesn’t have to remain a source of embarrassment or limitation; it can become part of a larger story about representation, resilience, and public awareness.
Fact-check note: The key biographical and dental details above were checked against recent biographical records and reporting, including Rutgers’ account of his cleidocranial dysplasia and dental treatment, ABC News’ reporting on his fourth surgery, and recent 2026 reporting on his relationship with Elizabeth Yu.
