Filing front teeth

[Kingge21]

Hi members,

I'm about 3/4 of the way through my braces treatment. I'm really happy with the results so far and feel comfortable with my orthodontist.

At my appointment earlier today, he recommended that my top two front teeth should be filed down. I'm not sure if he meant in width as they are larger than the rest of my other teeth (but isn't this normal?) They do come over the bottom teeth a bit but he hasn't mentioned it's an overjet.

I am satisfied with their overall appearance and I think the filing would be to make them aesthetically "perfect" and it's quite common with braces. I did mention at our last appointment that one of my front teeth grew through jagged and if that was filed and he could make sure it wouldn't be shorter than the other, so maybe this is why he wants to file both?

I am worried about sensitivity after it has been done and after all you can't put it back.

Anyway, I know it is hard to give advice purely on my badly worded description and without seeing my teeth but thanks in advance (and thanks for reading!)

G

[kennyandrew85]

I'm the opposite I asked my ortho to make my front teeth shorter but hes unsure I will like it as it will look like I grind my teeth but I disagree!

I'm sure it doesnt make them sensitive but I suppose it depends how much they tske off

[junglejulie]

I can't wait for mine to be filed down a little, lol

[tfischer]

My ortho has filed my top & bottom teeth - I have not noticed them being sensitive but that be different with each person.

[fosterp]

I've had my front top teeth filed down quite a bit. I think you can see the difference in the progress pictures in my sig.

[isthistaken]

This is a terrific question and I am having similar concerns. If he mentioned IPR that would be Interproximal Reduction. They refer to it by all sorts of euphemisms. I think the last one I heard before they did it was "polishing." I was worried about this but it was fast and painless for me. In lieu of extractions, a bit of width is removed from several of the crowded teeth. I had some done at the initial braces installation and they may do more later.

I am also concerned about my top teeth. Veneers have been mentioned. Basically none of my four top teeth match. One was chipped when I was about six, so it doesn't match the other incisor. I had never noticed for 55 years until now, but the next pair do not match in crown length. They also mentioned possible reshaping to make everything look more symmetrical. I'm with you, I don't like the idea of anything being removed which would be the case with either reshaping or veneers, but I am not going to end up with a perfect look, so will have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

[busy bee]

My orthodontist suggested filling down my two front teeth at the top to get rid of the black triangle which should appear once the teeth are straight. I declined as I don't like the idea of teeth being shaved down-surely it must weaken them. He's left it open for me to decide later but I know I won't change my mind. I know lots of people do have it done though so I think if you want to then go for it! It just isn't for me.

[Angel269]

I've asked about having mine filed down at bit to shorten them-One is slightly angled due to the way they were before and I don't like how the length of them makes them look a tad prominent as it were.

[eyetech]

I've had mine filed some. The two front because the edges weren't even. The two on either side of them because they are actually my canine teeth and the ortho is shaping them to look like incisors (mine were removed as a child). I was worried that it would be uncomfortable while he was doing it but not really any sensation at all. No problems with any sensitivity since then either.

[BracesChick]

I'm having the black triangle shaved away in between my 2 front teeth during my next appointment, and this way the teeth can come closer together. In addition, I will have my right front tooth shaved down and filled in to make it match the other front tooth. It's very jagged right now because it was so crooked. Both my orth and dentist assure me that there wont be any sensitivity from this because of how little tooth they remove.