What can I do about my canine teeth?

Question

My canine teeth at the top & bottom are quite pointy and not as 'square' shaped as the rest of my teeth. With them being quite pointy it looks as though I have a lot of gaps between my teeth. Are there any procedures that one can have to make them more 'square' like the rest of my teeth? I had them 'shaved' down a few years ago but this hasn't really made a big difference to my appearance.

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

It is normal for the canines to be pointed and the incisors more square.  Pointed or rounded canines are often considered "sexier" than flat ones.It is possible to give a flatter squarer look to all your teeth with bonding or veneers.  The Straight Across smile was more popular in the 1980's when veryone wanted to look like Farrah Fawcett.Do a google search and you will know what I mean.  Normally that is considered a more masculine look.Obviously Farrah is sexy and feminine and it works for well for her.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sounds to me like you would like to have more uniform smile. If so, there really 3 choices. Recontour the edges of the canines a little more, use composite material to add to the teeth and, last but not the least, porcelain veneers, which can change not only the shape but color of the teeth. As a bonus, color of porcelain veneers WILL stay whereas composite often darkens over time.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

Canine teeth are usually the most pointy teeth. In some smiles they can look too pointy. It's possible that in your case it's a combination of the canine teeth being too point and AND the neighboring teeth being small. As a cosmetic dentist, I usually take photos of your natural smile, including your "social" smile. This is where you are speaking to someone directly in front of you, but someone else is looking at the side of your smile.From the photos we could assess why it looks like so many gaps. Again, I'm suspicious that more than your canine teeth are involved.After that you could have a simulation made right on your teeth simulating closing the spaces. You could preview that and see if that creates the look you want. The other alternative is that we can use digital photos to create a simulation. I like this option better, because we both can look at it from the same angles. In addition, you can see yourself from the "social" smile side angles and see how others would see you.In conclusion, there are a few ways to fully assess what's making your smile look like it has so many gaps. After the assessment, there are some digital ways to simulate fixing the gaps. Once the right look is created, then we can decide if that's bonding or any veneers. Usually bonding can accomplish most cases.

Kevin Winters, DDS · Answer

really you have 3 choices. 1. Cosmetically recontour the tooth.  Sounds like this is what was done previously. You can only do so much with this.  2. Add bonding to the tooth edges.  This will fill in the spaces and "square up" the tooth.  3.  Add a porcelain veneer.  Good choice but the bonding might be better.  Jus depends on what your situation looks like.

What can I do about my canine teeth?

Answers (4)

Answer: Pointy canines

Answer: Pointy canines

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What can I do about my canine teeth?

Answers (4)

Answer: Pointy canines

Answer: Pointy canines

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smile Makeover

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.