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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / January 2006Build up tooth or file down?
Hello, I have braces on right now to fix my bite, but my previously straight front teeth are now slightly uneven. Basically my two front teeth are different lengths (maybe .5 to 1mm max) and when the braces line them up they will be even on the gumline but the length different will be apparent at the bite. Here's the options I've thought about: 1) Align the teeth via braces, moving the length discrepancy to the gumline 2) Build up the shorter tooth 3) File down the longer tooth I don't see the point of #1 as it doesn't fix the problem. My orthodontist recommends #2 but I worry how well the bonding will hold up. Will I need to get it redone every few years and what is the likelihood of it chipping? I normally don't want to damage a healthy tooth but #3 seems like a good option because it's permanent - but does filing it down damage the enamel / tooth? Any opinions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks Mike > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Mike Mike, When do you get the braces off? I had bonding done about 20 years ago for 6 front teeth. Although the technique & materials have likely impoved since then, I think etching is still required. The tooth must be "etched" wiht an acid material for the resin to adhere to the tooth. this etching process does very little damage ot the tooth compared to other cosmetic procedures (like veneers and crowns). The bonding does not last forever. It will stain over time (porcelain does not). Mine did chip a little over time. I replaced the bonding about 3 years ago. If you go with build-up, I highly recommend bonding as it is the safer than veneers and crowns (IMHO). The latter require more tooth destruction. Filing will remove enamel, yes. However my brother had a chipped front tooth filed down (at age nine). He is 43 now. No problems. Good luck. Sue (nondentist) Sue, Thanks for the response. My main concern with bonding is that it's the edge of the tooth - so it seems like it would be more prone to chipping - especially since I'd only be getting .5 to 1mm of material added. When bonding discolors does it discolor at the same rate as your regular teeth? I plan to get my teeth whitened as soon as the braces are off (18 months from now) and then get the bonding / filing done the same day. Mike >> Hello, >> [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > >Sue (nondentist) > Sue, > [quoted text clipped - 65 lines] > > > >Sue (nondentist) Mike, The bonding resin that I had, picked up stain more readily than enamel. However today's materials may be different. These are good questions to ask your dentist. You may want to ask your dentist if you happen to change your mind later... can the bonding be removed and the tooth restored? I am not sure if this is possible. I'd be curious to know, Sue (nondentist) > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Mike Mike, When do you get the braces off? What I understand about bonding (I had this done~ 20 years ago, & it has likely been improved since then!): The tooth must be "etched" in order for the bonding resin to adhere to the tooth. There is very little damage done to the tooth in this etching process (as compared to other cosmetic procedures such as veneers and crowns). However it does not last forever. It also will stain over time (porcleain does not). My bonding did eventually chip a little. I had it replaced after ~15 years. However I highly recommend bonding over any other type of build-up. I think the least invasive method is the safest method. I cannot speak to the filing down other than my brother had a front tooth that had been chipped (at age nine), filed down. He is now 43 years old... no problems with it. Thoughts from a patient. Good luck. Sue (nondentist)
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