Possibility of filing my canines to shorter length?

Question

I have longer left and right canine teeth than the rest ones. I recently heard of filing teeth. Is filing them shorter is possible? What are the costs involved and can I get any recommendations for a dentist in my local area? Thank you.

Paula S. Gould, DDS · Answer

Interesting question. But what you may not know is how important the canines are to your bite.  The reasons canines are a certain length is determined by the specifics of your bite.

Canines determine the way your bite functions, protect the front teeth from breaking, etc etc.  So they are more complicated than you'd think.

Answer to you question can be determined by a good cosmetic dentist competent in occlusion, the way top and bottom teeth fit together and function correctly.

Yes, in certain circumstances, the canines can be cosmetically  recontoured, meaning reshaped and shortened, WITHOUT HARM TO YOUR BITE. But your bite has to be analyzed first.

Sometimes someone has what is called is a "reverse smile line" where the front teeth are all shorter and form a curve with canines, reverse of the lower lip, instead of following it. This detracts from a cosmetically ideal smile.

It can be corrected many ways, with braces, Invisilign, and sometimes by veneers.

So, all corrections to a smile where the canines are not HARMONEOUS to your smile, must be carefully evaluated ,the reasons determined, and a good plan designed for you.

Possibility of filing my canines to shorter length?

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Possibility of filing my canines to shorter length?

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Everything you need to know about Tooth Repair

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