If you have a tooth that has a minor chip or needs to be slightly resized, you might be able to have it shaved down to improve its appearance. Dentists can often recontour teeth to make them fit more seamlessly with the rest while improving the bite and smile. Read on to learn more about how and why dentists reshape teeth.
Reasons for Reshaping Teeth
To Fix a Small Chip
If you have a slight chip in your tooth that bothers you every time you smile, you can talk to your dentist about having it reshaped. They can shave it down to even it out, reduce the appearance of any rugged edges, and enhance your entire smile in a matter of minutes.
To Reduce Crowding
Reshaping teeth is also a tactic that is commonly used to improve overcrowding in the mouth. Bigger teeth or a misaligned smile can result in a number of issues, and can even lead to painful sensations over time. In certain scenarios, the dentist might be able to file down some of those teeth to lessen the impact, reduce overcrowding and free up more space to eliminate pressure.
To Trim Teeth Before Applying a Crown
It’s common practice for the dentist to shave down the original tooth before it gets capped with a crown. A crown sits over the top of the natural teeth, so it’s important to make sure it fits well. Since the original tooth will be completely covered up, the appearance won’t matter.
Preparing for a Veneer
Similar to a crown, a veneer is also used in cosmetic dentistry to cover up a tooth, but it gets placed on the front. If the original tooth requires some contouring, the dentist will file it down to shave away parts to create a better fit. They might also shave a few of the neighbouring teeth to ensure they line up while still appearing natural.
Correcting Your Bite
Your dentist could also recommend reshaping some teeth to correct a misaligned bite, shave down long canine teeth, or prevent problems with tooth sensitivity.
If you have a chipped tooth or think you could benefit from tooth reshaping, contact us at Carlingwood Dental. Your dentist will have a look and determine if it’s the right option for your teeth.
