It’s a tale as old as time: family and friends reaching out for recommendations for reliable dentists and doctors. We’ve all been there, offering advice based on our own experiences. But sometimes, these well-intentioned referrals can lead to some truly unexpected situations. Just ask Dr. Wasserman, the family dentist of “Pat,” whose ordinary practice day took a decidedly rock and roll turn thanks to a visit from Pat’s brother, the one and only Peter Steele.
Pat’s brother, Peter Steele, as in the Peter Steele of the iconic gothic metal band Type O Negative, was in need of dental care. He contacted his sister, explaining he had a “tooth problem” and needed a dentist’s expertise. Trusting her long-time dentist, Dr. Wasserman, who had a practice conveniently located near Avenue M in Brooklyn, Pat readily shared his contact information. Peter, ever the enigmatic personality, remained vague about the specifics of his dental issue, and Pat, in turn, didn’t pry. She assumed it was a routine matter, perhaps a cavity – somewhat surprising given Peter’s previously cavity-free history until his twenties.
Weeks later, Dr. Wasserman called Pat, a note of bewilderment in his voice. He expressed gratitude for the referral but confessed his confusion regarding Peter’s dental aspirations. Dr. Wasserman admitted he wasn’t well-versed in the world of rock and roll, but he understood that Peter Steele wanted something done to his teeth that he simply couldn’t fathom why.
The mystery of Peter Steele’s “tooth problem” was soon revealed. It wasn’t a cavity that troubled the deep-voiced frontman; it was a desire for fangs. Yes, fangs. Dr. Wasserman’s call wasn’t just about professional perplexity; it was tinged with concern, perhaps even a hint of fear of the reaction from Peter’s mother and sister if he were to fulfill such an unusual request.
Despite his initial reservations and unfamiliarity with such unconventional dental modifications, Dr. Wasserman, to his credit, was eventually persuaded to create the fangs for Peter Steele. Peter, it turned out, had already approached multiple dentists who had refused his request. Dr. Wasserman, however, ultimately agreed, and in a testament to this unique dental endeavor, he received a thank you in the liner notes of a future Type O Negative album – a memento he proudly displayed in his office until his retirement.
The unveiling of Peter Steele’s new fangs was, unsurprisingly, a memorable moment for his family. Pat recounts a dinner where a smile from Peter revealed the startling dental additions. Her reaction was immediate and visceral – a scream and an involuntary touch of the newly installed fangs. Peter, in true Peter Steele fashion, responded with a wild smile, his signature nervous laugh, a growl, and a theatrical flash of his teeth, uttering the playful threat, “For better to eat you my dear,” echoing the Big Bad Wolf. While Pat wasn’t present for their mother’s first glimpse of Peter’s fangs, she could only imagine the expression on her face at such a permanent alteration.
For years afterward, Dr. Wasserman humorously referred to Peter Steele and his family as “the vampires.” In his more conventional mindset, the motivation behind wanting fangs remained an enigma. But he had, nonetheless, played a pivotal role in realizing Peter Steele’s distinctive vision, adding an extraordinary chapter to the lore of the iconic musician and the annals of unusual dental requests.
