You’d be shocked to know how many people search for “Gaten Matarazzo disease”, although it’s not technically called a disease. The Stranger Things actor was born with cleidocranial dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder which primarily affects the development of bones and teeth. He’s been honest about it from the beginning.
Gaten, born on September 8, 2002, is now 23. He’s had to live with this for most of his life. But rather than shrink from it, he’s embraced it as part of who he is. His Stranger Things character, Dustin Henderson, also has the condition, which was written in after Gaten told the Duffer Brothers about it.
What Is Cleidocranial Dysplasia?
Cleidocranial dysplasia affects approximately one in a million individuals. Properly rare. It’s due to a mutation in the RUNX2 gene, which is responsible for bone and teeth development.
Breaking it down, the term “cleido” refers to the collarbone, “cranial” means skull, and dysplasia describes abnormal development. So it’s an abnormal development of the collarbones and skull bones.
People with CCD are often born without collarbones or with them only partially formed. That means their shoulders can rotate unusually forward. Gaten Matarazzo makes fun of this occasionally, noting some people think it’s “cool” that he can touch his shoulders together in front of his chest.
The skull does not fully close either. Babies’ heads have softer spots that remain open for longer. This may result in a larger forehead and more widely spaced eyes.
But the biggest issue is teeth. That’s where most of the problems happen.
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Gaten Matarazzo Disease: Teeth Problems
Gaten Matarazzo disease and teeth problems are some of the first things people see. CCD messes with tooth development in a whole bunch of ways. Baby teeth fail to come out on time. Adult teeth don’t grow in right. Extra teeth grow in the gums that block the proper ones from coming through.
Gaten’s told that lots of times. He was an early user of removable dentures as a child to compensate for the loss of front teeth. Dustin looks toothless in the early Stranger Things seasons because of that.
But it’s not just cosmetic. Gaten’s been vocal about this. “I wish people would understand that having teeth is not cosmetic and it does affect a person’s well-being and health,” he told Mediaplanet. “Teeth will not come in on their own, and it’s not just a matter of waiting because if you wait too long, the teeth could fuse to the jaw and you could never have your own teeth.”
That’s the scary bit. Without treatment, people with CCD might never have proper teeth. They’d need implants or dentures for life.
Gaten Matarazzo Teeth Surgery Journey
Gaten Matarazzo’s teeth surgery has been a long process. He’s had at least four major operations over the years.
The big one happened in January 2020 when he was 17. During that surgery, doctors removed 14 extra teeth and exposed 6 adult teeth that were trapped in his gums. Fourteen teeth. That’s mental.
He posted about it on Instagram afterwards. “The surgery was a complete success. This was such a big one, it may be the last one I need. Hopefully at least.”
The process involves removing extra teeth first. Then, exposing the adult teeth that are stuck. The n using braces and orthodontic stuff to guide those teeth into the right position. Takes years.
Between surgeries, he wore braces. He had regular monitoring. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a marathon of dental work.
Gaten Matarazzo Teeth 2025 Update
As of December 2025, Gaten Matarazzo’s teeth 2025 look dramatically different from when fans first met him. Recent photos show he’s got a fuller smile with well-aligned teeth. They’re not perfectly straight, but they’re functional and natural-looking.
A Kenyan news site just reported hours ago that his smile shows “a complete set that is aligned and more uniform after dental treatments.” He’s moved from removable dentures to having his own adult teeth properly positioned.
The transformation’s been gradual. Early 20s photos show him with braces. By 2025, he’s got a confident smile that looks healthy. It’s still recognisably Gaten, just with teeth that actually work now.
Gaten Matarazzo Disease Life Expectancy
Here’s the important bit: Gaten Matarazzo’s disease life expectancy isn’t affected by CCD. The condition doesn’t shorten your life. It’s not life-threatening at all.
CCD doesn’t affect intelligence. It doesn’t affect organs. Gaten’s as sharp as anyone. His acting career proves that.
The main issues are skeletal. Shorter stature is common. Gaten is 5 feet 4 inches, which is below average for men. But that’s not dangerous.
Some people with CCD develop osteoporosis earlier because the RUNX2 gene affects bone density. That can make bones more fragile. But it’s manageable with proper care.
Dental issues can significantly affect the quality of life. Chewing problems. Speech difficulties. Self-esteem struggles. But none of that is fatal. With modern dental treatment, people with CCD live completely normal lives.
Gaten Matarazzo Cleidocranial Dysplasia Advocacy
Gaten Matarazzo’s support for cleidocranial dysplasia has been huge. He raises money and awareness for CCD Smiles, a group that helps defray the costs of oral surgeries for those with the condition.
These surgeries are expensive. Hundreds of thousands of pounds, in some cases. Not everyone can afford them. It’s a gap CCD Smiles helps fill.
Gaten’s openness has helped kids with CCD feel less alone. He’s become a hero to them. One kid with CCD said, “Gaten is my hero. I want to be just like him one day.”
By making his condition part of his public identity, he’s normalised it. Kids watching Stranger Things see Dustin as cool and smart, and funny, not defined by his teeth. That matters.
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The Bigger Picture
When Stranger Things first aired in 2016, most people had never heard of cleidocranial dysplasia. Now it’s something people recognise. That’s entirely down to Gaten.
He’s spoken about how the condition has actually helped his career. “Pretty much every part I’ve booked is because of the condition. In some way, it affects me, whether it be my height or my teeth or making me look younger.”
But he also wants to move beyond that. “Hopefully, I can evolve from that and not just get roles because of the condition. I can play parts that don’t have physical disabilities or anything like that.”
Nobody wants to be reduced to their medical condition. But what Gaten’s done in his openness about cleidocranial dysplasia is to give visibility to something that has been badly in need of visibility.
He’s demonstrated that you can have a genetic disorder and still be impactful in your career. Still be confident. Still be yourself. And honestly, that’s worth more than any amount of perfect teeth.
