Does an ortho "file" your teeth?

[Michaelz]

So, I am nearing my deband date (hopefully August 15th if all goes well) and I am worried about the length of my teeth.

Does an ortho file your teeth at the end of treatment to make them look better? I have longer canines that I would like to see filed down a tad and was curious.

I am not sure if this is something the orthodontist will do or I need my dentist to do.

thanks

[kennyandrew85]

I think they can both do it. The dentist definitely can.

Because my front teeth have never been used to bite until now, they are a bit longer than I want them to be so will be asking for them to be shortened if they aren't by the end of braces.

[yogapaws]

My ortho said he could do file/even out my teeth. My (step)granddaughter's were also filed.

[LewisS]

I hope so because I want my teeth to all be of a similar length and I think a few of my teeth are a little misshapen at the top, so I'd like those to be fixed.

[yogapaws]

I should mention how amazing my (step)granddaughter's teeth look- she really needed treatment and is very lucky my daughter came into her life (for more reasons than the oral treatment).

My kiddo thanks me after every dental appointment- the staff always comments on how amazing her teeth look and how talented her orthodontist was....and she is very supportive in my treatment. Last week she gave me the cookbook (from 1990, LOL) Dr M gave us. I think our food forum has better suggestions.

[BraceFace2o1o]

My Ortho very slightly filed my upper left central incisor at my last appointment. Because of the way it was positioned prior to braces it never got worn so it was longer then the right central incisor.

[ellieb]

Both my ortho and my regular dentist have filed my teeth on occasion.
Because of the demands of my profession, I am going to end with veneers because my tetracycline stains and funky tooth shapes do not cut it. My ortho treatment is really about getting the molars that WON'T be veneered into a good functional relationship, and getting everything else into a "good enough" place to get a really good result with veneers and not having to totally destroy the underlying stuff. So there's actually a bit of filing going on along with the expansion just to kind of help get the teeth where she can move them.
I think it's important to discuss early in treatment if you do or do not want major tooth shape changes, if you feel strongly. I DO, I hate the shape of my teeth, and they are too big for my face (I have a petite frame and very feminine, delicate features, average size teeth make me look like there's something wrong with me mentally). My interest in having that done is a huge factor in being able to accomplish my result without extractions or fixed braces.
One reason too that I have rejected other ortho treatments is that in our discussions, they really seemed not to get my tooth-size dissatisfaction. I don't want a huge toothpaste smile. It's wrong for my face. I want a smile that makes people notice my eyes, and I want my teeth to be fine, and just not anything that attracts attention.

[DrJasonKTam]

Great point made by ellieb.

Orthodontics can change the alignment of teeth, but apart from mild changes to the incisal edges and mesial/distal surfaces, changes to the tooth shape and of course colour should not be expected. It is important to understand that periodontal and cosmetic dentistry procedures may be needed to fully achieve your perfect smile, even after orthodontics.

That being said, for recontouring of teeth, this can be done by your general dentist or orthodontist (who is also a dentist, but specializes in orthodontics).

[sjw87]

mine told me he will be filing.

[Chaplains Assistant]

I asked about that today with my deband date coming soon and he said he wouldn't do any filing until my teeth settle. He would be affraid that they would move more after debracing and he'd have to do it again. I was ok with that but not much else he's done to my teeth. I may just have my regular dentist do it so I know it's right!

[Glandyover]

I've been asking about filing ridges, IPR and buffing at my evals and they all do it as a matter of course now. That wasn't the case my first time around.

[gj88]

im getting mine filed or shaved everytime i see the ortho so my incisors at the top can come forward...i have an issue with overcrowding and need to get the teeth filed or they wont fit when they go forward...

[BraceFace2o1o]

im getting mine filed or shaved everytime i see the ortho so my incisors at the top can come forward...i have an issue with overcrowding and need to get the teeth filed or they wont fit when they go forward...

This is called IPR (interproximal reduction) and is done to create room for crowded teeth to move. I had it done during my treatment as my teeth were crowded and I did not have any extractions to make room.

The type of filing the OP mentions is to shape the teeth to make them look better, match up better etc.

[Ellebraced]

Yes my Ortho will do some filing when my braces come off. They call it HOLLYWOODing