Can the do-it-yourself approach prove right for teeth shaving?

Several do-it-yourself dental care trends emerged on Tik Tok, YouTube, and beauty blogs during 2020. Teeth shaving, using sandpaper pieces or a nail file, happens to be one of them. Videos demonstrate how chipped and misshapen teeth can turn smooth. 

What is tooth shaving? Can it help in improving cosmetic appearance without triggering problems? Most importantly, can the “do-it-yourself” approach work? Here’re the answers to these and other questions.

What’s tooth shaving? 

Also referred to as adjustment, dental recontouring, interproximal reduction, or teeth contouring, the procedure involves reshaping teeth. Dentists have been performing the clinical process for decades. It’s painless, and administering anesthesia is not necessary. 

When do dentists recommend teeth contouring?

There are many applications of interdental reduction. Your dental care expert can recommend it for both cosmetic or therapeutic purposes. 

• Cosmetic purpose 

Your front teeth play a vital role in a beautiful smile. As a part of the teeth shaving process, dentists polish and gently reshape them. Even crooked teeth can turn straight. Plus, enamel recontouring as a part of teeth shaving adds sparkle to your smile. 

Also referred to as cosmetic recontouring, the process is one of the most performed ones. Dental professionals can complete it in a single visit. 

• Reducing crowding 

Patients with crowded or big teeth face several problems, including crooked teeth, misalignment, and jaw pain. The best approach to solve these issues is to reduce congestion. 

Dentists recommend filing down some teeth to reduce crowding. The treatment solves alignment issues and pain in patients with a small jaw. 

• Adjusting teeth length and size discrepancies to correct a misaligned bite

Even imperfections in two teeth can prevent the entire set of upper teeth from resting on the lower ones while you close your mouth. Such teeth can result in a misaligned bite, headaches, pain in the jaw muscle, and other problems. 

In such cases, a dental surgeon examines the mouth and recommends shaving all the problematic teeth to adjust your bite. 

Correcting misalignment with teeth shaving can help end tooth pain and sensitivity. Patients can open and close the jaw correctly after undergoing the procedure. 

• Teeth shaving for aligners and braces

Patients who have already undergone orthodontic treatment do not need an introduction to teeth shaving. 

Extreme misaligned or crowded teeth need aligners, retainers, or braces-based treatment for correction. If required, orthodontists shave off a tooth. The step ensures braces fit perfectly and move the tooth in the desired position. 

• Tooth shaving for veneers

Veneers are custom-made wafer-thin shells that fit on the existing tooth surface. These are crafted to cover the front surface of the teeth. 

Veneers can hide gaps, unevenness, black spots, and other imperfections. These tiny shells also help correct the color, length, and size of teeth. 

At times, a dentist has to file away tiny bits of the tooth to ensure the veneer fits accurately and covers the surface. 

• Other practical purposes

Reshaping is crucial to fit the removable partial denture’s anchor points. 

Slicing a thin portion of surrounding teeth enamel is necessary to ensure a crown fits perfectly on the implant.  

Can the do-it-yourself approach prove better than visiting a dental clinic?

Those showing off their shark teeth have probably shaved down their teeth to little pegs. Why? Perhaps, to fix custom-made crowns designed by their sponsors? Thus, several Tik Tok influencers may need dentures before reaching 40. 

Shaving a tooth down damages enamel and puts the nerve at risk. There’s a high possibility that people might end up permanently damaging teeth. You certainly don’t want a ghostly smile flickering across your face, do you? 

Remember, you cannot undo your action once you shave down a tooth. You might need expensive treatment to restore chewing power. Due to weak enamel, your teeth become more prone to decay. 

Teeth shaving is not something you can perform as a part of an at-home beauty routine. 

Always choose a dentist instead of a beautician 

Why rely on rookies who learn the art from YouTube videos and use your mouth as a training ground? You can always approach a dentist near you. Besides alignment improvements, dental care experts also perform these procedures for cosmetic enhancements. 

Which tools do dental care experts use for interproximal reduction?

Professionals use a grinder, dental drill, diamond coated abrasive strips, dental saw, or dental scaler to narrow the chosen tooth. On the other side, the do-it-yourself approach involves over-the-counter tools. 

How much trimming is ok? 

The amount of trimming varies from one tooth to the other. Your dental care expert will ensure the amount of narrowing is not noticeable. They will create the precise amount of space needed to solve overcrowding.

Do patients experience side effects or problems after trimming teeth?

Orthodontists have been using the technique for decades. Several private and public entities carried out problems and risk assessments. Research work available in the public domain indicates interproximal reduction technique is safe. 

If performed by an experienced dentist, the procedure can offer specific intended results.

So, no need to focus on side effects or compromising periodontal tissue integrity. 

Read more:- 7 Ways to Maintain Your Smile Bright

Final Thoughts: 

It’s crucial to focus on the point that interproximal reduction involves trimming the thickness of chosen tooth enamel. Why shave down those healthy teeth for no reason? Let a dental care expert assess your needs. Dentists can help make your smile attractive and help you reach your cosmetic goals.