Worried That Your Teeth Look Too Sharp? Here's What You Can Do

Dentist Blog

Do you feel that your teeth look too sharp? If this is something you worry about, it's probably your cuspid teeth that are causing concern. Your cuspid teeth can also be known as canine teeth, and sometimes it might feel like there is something just a little bit too animal-like about these pointy teeth. It's not particularly complicated for your dentist to change the appearance of these teeth. Since the shape of your cuspids don't generally have any impact on your overall dental health, having their appearance changed is considered to be cosmetic dentistry. So what are your options when it comes to reshaping teeth you might not be happy with?

Contouring

The simplest and most inexpensive option when it comes to reshaping your cuspid teeth is a process known as dental contouring. It might not sound particularly pleasant, but it shouldn't result in any discomfort. Your dentist will simply file a tiny amount of the tooth away using a small handheld buffer, giving the teeth a more rounded appearance. The whole process is very quick and the results are immediate. There are a couple of things that your dentist will need to do to ensure that you're a candidate for dental contouring.

  • An x-ray might be needed. This is so your dentist can check the precise location of the dental pulp for the teeth in question. The pulp is the tissue and nerves in the centre of the tooth, and your dentist just needs to check to what degree the tooth can be contoured without exposing this dental pulp. Exposing the pulp can result in pain and discomfort, and can leave your teeth more susceptible to periodontal disease.
  • Your dentist will also want to check the overall health of the teeth to be reshaped, as well as any surrounding teeth. The contouring is an abrasive (though painless) procedure and the vibrations might damage a tooth that already has an untreated cavity. In a worst case scenario, it might simply be that your dentist will treat the cavity before reshaping the tooth.

Veneers

If you're not a candidate for dental contouring, your dentist might suggest veneers. This is when a tiny amount of the tooth is filed off, essentially preparing its surface for the actual veneer. The veneer is a durable porcelain composite that is bonded to the front of the tooth, improving its appearance and essentially hiding the problematic pointy end of the cuspid. It's generally more expensive and time-consuming than dental contouring, so it should perhaps only be an option when contouring is not possible for any reason.

So if you've ever considered changing the appearance of your cuspid teeth, it's interesting to know that it doesn't have to be so difficult.  

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25 July 2016

About Me

Teeth And Tears: Dental Dramas Of A School Nurse

I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.