Filing Down teeth

[BigCheese101]

I have a question in regards to teeth filing either during or after treatment. I've come to the conclusion that not only is the straightness of your teeth important but the consistency of length as well. So my question is how common is tooth filing in ortho treatment? Some people have teeth that are rigid on the ends, and some teeth are very round or just not perfectly shaped. Is filing something you must point out or request your ortho to do or is it a pretty common thing, like the polishing they do once braces are removed.

[Sunny]

BigCheese if you have something that's bothering you, it's best to discuss it with your ortho. Some ortho's will talk about things that may improve the look of the teeth, but the focus is about obtaining the best bite, which usually is possible without these things being corrected. Some people prefer to have teeth with some individuality rather than having them looking like 'blocks', but your ortho needs to know which you prefer, if you want something like this done.

Good luck talking toyour ortho!

[Bunny]

HI big cheese!! I had mine filed while still braced...I have 4 months to go and my ortho did it at my adjustment 6 months ago. I had an non-descended canine. When it was bought down level with my other one I was very "fangy" and where one of my front teeth was rotated it was uneven where I had worn it down so my ortho filed the front 4 down so they were all level. Even with my braces on it looked amazing. He said on my removal date he will do a little more filing if required. It doesn't hurt, it "itches" if anything. Ortho said its very common indeed. I didn't have to point it out, he said he could file them if I wanted and I am glad I went for it. xxx

[ksmoguy]

My ortho includes filing in the cost of treatment. I had this chipped tooth my dentist was going to fix after braces because he didnt know how much my teeth would move and on day one the ortho fixed it and said that as I get closer to the end of treatment he will do some additional filing as needed for symetry and to avoid a "fang" look

[lauralea]

does filling hurt or take a long time??
I think I may need this, but we will only see later on in treatment

[Sunny]

The filing I've had done so far took only a few minutes and was painfree ... same went for the IPR (shaving) work that was done to make room for my teeth to rotate. The smell wasn't the best ... but quickly gone.

[Ljepotica]

I have a question...my ortho wants to file my teeth, he did it once, but he will do it again in the next visit, my only concern is, will the filing of my teeth create a loss of volum around my mouth and would i develop wrinkles or lines? i know that when you exctract teeth you loose bone and that creates sagging on the face, will filing my teeth create a loss of volume and thus create lines like smoking lines, i don't know if i'm clear with my question, i just don't want to look aged, specaily the mouth area...i'm also scared that when they remove my braces my lips will not look so full anymore and then i will get that smoking lines around my mouth ( i refer to smoking lines becuase i don't know how to expain it )...

[Sunny]

Ljepotica talk to your ortho about your concerns, as these are things that your ortho needs to be aware of.

The amount removed when IPR work is done is quite small, so the effect, if any, would be minute. The bones of your face are not being affected, as only surgery can do this, but the moving of your teeth within your jaw bone can cause some changes ... small, but changes all the same. Please ask your ortho if you will notice any of these and if so, what to expect.

Good luck with your treatment!

[Ljepotica]

Thank you Sunny!, I will defenetly do so !