Have you ever heard of tooth shaving causing a patients tongue to move changing their pallet, therefore causing teeth to shift?

Question

Miller Vieira Paula, DDS · Answer

Tooth shaving (or tooth reshaping) involves removing a small amount of enamel to correct minor imperfections or create space for orthodontic purposes. It does not directly affect the palate, but there are a few ways it could potentially lead to indirect changes:
Tongue Positioning and Palatal Changes:
If tooth shaving alters the alignment of teeth significantly, it might affect how the tongue rests in the mouth. Over time, changes in tongue posture could theoretically influence the shape of the palate because the tongue exerts pressure on it. This is more common in children whose palates are still developing, but in adults, the palate is largely fixed and less likely to change.Teeth Shifting After Reshaping:
Removing enamel can slightly alter the contact points between teeth. This can lead to minor shifting if the balance of forces in the mouth changes. For example, the tongue and cheeks exert constant pressure on teeth, and reshaping could disrupt their equilibrium.Orthodontic Implications:
If tooth shaving is part of orthodontic treatment (e.g., interproximal reduction), it’s designed to create space for controlled tooth movement. Without proper retention after orthodontic treatment, teeth can shift over time, potentially affecting overall oral dynamics.
Unintended Consequences:
If too much enamel is removed or if reshaping is not performed carefully, it might destabilize the bite or lead to functional changes in chewing or tongue movements. These, in turn, might indirectly influence how teeth settle.While it's rare for tooth shaving alone to cause dramatic changes to the palate or tongue position leading to noticeable shifting, these effects are plausible under certain conditions. If this is a concern, consulting an orthodontist or dentist specializing in occlusion and jaw function would be advisable.
Dr. Miller Vieira Paula

Have you ever heard of tooth shaving causing a patients tongue to move changing their pallet, therefore causing teeth to shift?

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