Outline of teeth. Teeth remodeling. Tooth filing. tooth reduction.
These are some of the names for a procedure done to slightly reduce the size of a tooth to improve its appearance or the way it fits in your mouth. Many people also refer to this process as “tooth shaving”.
The technical name for this procedure is odontoplasty or enamel, when a small amount of enamel is removed from a tooth to reshape it. You may also hear it called occlusive balance.
This procedure may be done for cosmetic reasons, such as to smooth out the appearance of a tooth that has become distorted or chipped. Dentists can remove the ridged edges of the teeth known as mamelons to create a more even line of teeth.
A dentist may also recommend shaving teeth for medical reasons, including improving your bite or preparing a damaged tooth for a crown.
After carefully examining your teeth, jaw, and dental x-rays, a dentist may decide that one or more of your teeth could benefit from reshaping or filing. There are several reasons why.
Restoration of damaged teeth
A small chip on your tooth may not seem like a big deal to you, but you may notice it every time you look in the mirror. Shaving that tooth or filing it down to create a more even edge can do wonders in improving your smile.
Creating more space in the mouth
You may have a small jaw or large teeth. Or your teeth may just be crammed too close in your mouth. Crowded teeth can cause a number of problems including jaw pain, misalignment and crooked teeth. Filing some of these teeth can free up enough space to reduce crowding — and any problems it causes.
When adding a crown
A crown is a cap that fits over a damaged tooth or a tooth with a root canal. Typically, a dentist will need to cut your tooth (known as tooth preparation) before applying the crown. In this case, the crown will cover the tooth, so you won’t see any evidence of the actual shaving or filing process.
Shaving veneer teeth
A veneer is similar to a crown in that it covers damage to a tooth. However, a veneer usually only covers the front of a tooth.
Sometimes, a dentist may need to gently file away some of your tooth to prepare for a veneer, but it’s much less than with a crown. It is also much less common than it is with a crown. A dentist may also need to shave or file some of the teeth opposite the veneer, just to make sure they fit properly.
In addition to covering damaged teeth, veneers can be used to change the size, color, length, and shape of your teeth, as well as to close gaps.
Shaving teeth for braces
Orthodontics is designed to address issues such as crowding or misalignment of teeth. Braces and retainers can help move teeth into better positions that can relieve crowding or misalignment. However, sometimes an orthodontist may need to shave a tooth or two as part of the procedure.
Setting your bite
Open your mouth. Now close your mouth so that your upper teeth touch your lower teeth. Do they fit right? If not, a dentist may suggest shaving or contouring any teeth that prevent them from touching easily.
For example, canine teeth can be a bit too long and this can affect your bite. Misaligned teeth can affect your bite. As a result, they can cause a range of problems, ranging from pain in your jaw muscle to loose teeth and headaches.
The short answer is “no”. Dental surgery should not be painful. The dentist only removes a little of the surface enamel of your tooth and does not touch the pulp or the root of the tooth. You don’t even need an anesthetic to remove a small piece of enamel.
In general, this type of dental procedure is not considered very dangerous. In fact, tooth contouring is often considered a conservative procedure.
However,
As with any dental or orthodontic procedure, the cost will vary depending on factors such as where you live and the experience of the dentist. Minor reshaping of a tooth can range from $50 to $300.
The cost of orthodontic treatment, which involves reshaping many teeth and balancing your bite, can they range from $650 to $1,500which should also include follow-up care.
Talk to a dentist if you are concerned about cost. It’s possible that your dental insurance will cover some of it. Your coverage may depend on the medical reason for having the procedure.
If you’ve ever struggled over a tooth with a bit of a jagged edge or a chip, especially if it’s in a very visible spot, you may be a candidate for tooth contouring.
If you have a problem with your bite, you may also want to consider contouring, reshaping, or balancing your teeth. If your teeth don’t fit together properly, it can cause jaw and head pain and even lead to a condition in a joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
A quick trip to YouTube will turn up countless videos of people claiming to have successfully shaved their teeth at home with a nail file or sandpaper. You might be tempted to give it a try, especially if you just have a small chip or sharp edge that you want to address.
But just because you could do that doesn’t mean you must Do it. Experts say you visit a dentist. If you try to file or shave your teeth at home, you can damage your tooth enamel, which can lead to a number of other problems.
You cannot regrow tooth enamel, so any damage is irreversible. You may even need a veneer or crown if the damage is severe enough.
The process of shaving a tooth can have many benefits. It can make your smile look more even and also improve your oral health and relieve your head and neck pain. Talk to a dentist if you think this procedure could help you explore your options.
