Teeth Shaving is Not Always Safe – Understand The Risks
There are specific situations in dentistry when tooth shaving is acceptable when performed by a professional for medical reasons. This procedure, often referred to as tooth contouring or enameloplasty, involves reshaping the tooth to the desired shape and size by removing a small portion of the enamel. Compared to composite bonding, tooth contouring removes tooth structure rather than building it up.
The purpose of an enameloplasty
- Slightly reduces the size and shape of the tooth
- To improve the tooth’s appearance and how it fits with your mouth
- To smooth out the appearance of chipped or scalloped teeth edges
- Improving your bite or creating more room in the mouth
- Preparing a damaged tooth for a crown
Tooth contouring costs from £295.
Regardless of what you’ve seen or heard, you don’t need to shave your teeth for veneers
You might not know that shaving your teeth for veneers is not mandatory—in fact, some cosmetic dentists prefer it.
The modern approach to veneers does not involve shaving the teeth, with some brands so thin that they don’t even require preparation of the underlying tooth.
So, if you’ve been told your teeth need to be shaved or are interested in treatment with a practice that shaves teeth to place veneers and doesn’t feel right about it, then you’re right. It’s no longer necessary, and more patients need to understand this.
Several types of no-prep veneers, such as Ultrathin, Durathin, Lumineers, and Composite Veneers, are often more affordable than conventional veneers that require enamel removal or tooth shaving.
It’s ok to shave your teeth to improve your oral health, for example, if you need to adjust your bite or make room
It’s not uncommon for an orthodontist to recommend removing a few teeth to address issues like overcrowding or misaligned teeth and make room. A dentist might also recommend that the teeth be shaved when your upper teeth don’t rest correctly on your lower teeth.
For example, if your canine teeth are too long and your bite is affected, shaving them down is best to avoid problems later, such as headaches, jaw pain, and loose teeth.
Don’t shave your own teeth, ever
Not so long ago, there was a trend on TikTok and YouTube in which users shaved their teeth with nail files or sandpaper. While this might seem like a quick temptation, especially if you have a chip or jagged edge you want to address, our London dentists advise against it.
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should, and our experts insist that if you want to contour your teeth, you should turn to a dentist. Shaving and filing your teeth at home can damage your tooth enamel, which will never grow back. This can lead to a host of other problems, including sensitivity and sharp, shooting pain that will be unbearable.
Damage to your tooth’s enamel is irreversible, and if the damage is severe enough, you might have to replace the tooth with a veneer or dental crown.
Affordable dental finance on all treatments over £995.00
