I looked in image editing software, and I’m willing to bet it’s altered. If you look at any other black part of the picture, such as the bottom of the light touching the front of the flag, you can see other pixel colors within the black area. The area of the missing teeth is a solid black color.
I flipped it to Drudge... we’ll see what happens...
There are a lot of working poor without dental insurance who cannot afford more than an extraction which costs a $100 whearas a root canal and crown can easily top $2000 or an implant $2500. Few people choose to appear toothless,it is usually an obvious sign of their financial status.
It’s not solid black.
Secondly, the photo is taken in the shade, which makes shadowed areas look very dark. Just look at his pants on the right. Besides, if you knew any toothless people, you’d know that area can appear very dark under various conditions.
They didn’t need to photoshop the image.
Images are about emotions, just like advertising. The Times knew exactly what feelings that image would elicit, yet still claim anyone coming to that conclusion is biased- quite clever on their part, and also quite transparent.