I chipped my front teeth bad! Filing or shaving? (Photo)

Question

I chipped them bad. I don't know if I should file them down or get a filling

Paula S. Gould, DDS · Answer

The answer to your question is determined by HOW DID THEY BREAK?

If your lower teeth are not in an ideal position, they may BE THE CAUSE OF THE BROKEN EDGES. Since you are in braces now, this may very well be the case, as the lower teeth were "jumbled" or crooked, causing pressure on these edges every time they moved from front to back and side to side.

This is a major cause of broken edges on front teeth, with braces or not. Show me broken edges, and I'll be able to show you a puzzle piece fit of the lower teeth fitting right into the broken edges!

It's much easier to determine what to do in a case without braces, than with.  Have your lower teeth been straightened? Are you in the first stages of braces, or the end phase? Are these front teeth in their final position or are they being pulled down more, or are they too long already?

With braces, your orthodontist can help determine all of these answers, which determine what to do. Without seeing your lower teeth, or your full face, it cannot answer which to do now.

In closing, for anyone with this problem, the reason for the break must first be determined. Are the front teeth a little too long already?  Then reshaping the edges will work.  Are the breaks too big, and teeth become shortened too much , then bonding is possible, with first adjusting the lowers, so as not to cause the same problem again. Large breaks are sometimes strengthened and fixed by veneers. Bonding edges may look easy, but is very difficult to do , have it look natural, and not break off, due to biting forces. Sometimes bonding the edges only last a few years, and then has to be redone. This is a normal occurrence, as these edges take a beating, and bonding is a conservative, but still recommended approach for small breaks.

The advise of a good thinking cosmetic dentist is the best way to go.

John A. Merrill, DDS · Answer

another option would be to bond the edges with composite--that would be my recommendation--shorter teeth age your smile--no need to speed that process--Find a good cosmetic trained dentist and you will never know they were chipped--good luck to you.

Elizabeth Reiser-Loeber, DMD · Answer

Since you have braces on, I'd recommend smoothing the edges for now. You also have natural 'bumps' on your teeth called mammelons that can get smoothed out as well if you desire a straight edge.

I chipped my front teeth bad! Filing or shaving? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Tooth Repair

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I chipped my front teeth bad! Filing or shaving? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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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.