How teeth become irregularly shaped
Teeth that are irregularly shaped or uneven can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and teeth grinding at any stage of life. Functioning bite issues and TMJ disorder are two common dental problems that can either cause or be caused by uneven teeth. TMJ disorders are disorders of the jaw muscles, joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Any problem that prevents the complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working together in harmony may result in TMJ.
What happens if I have uneven teeth?
Teeth that are out of proportion to your face can make you appear older, cause wrinkles, and provide insufficient support for your jaw and facial structure, among other things. As part of our cosmetic dental services at Image Smiles Dental, our dentists can examine your smile and bite to determine if this is the case for you, then treat the issue as necessary.
What treatment options are available?
Bear in mind that treatment options are decided on a case-to-case basis. Depending on your case, you may be a candidate for one of the following options:
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials that are used to cover the front surface of teeth to change their appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of your teeth and can alter their colour, shape, size, or length.
Veneers have the ability to improve not only the appearance of your teeth but also the function of your bite. Custom-designed porcelain veneers from our Vancouver dentists can help support proper alignment between your bite and jaw.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding may be recommended to repair tooth damage, fill a gap between two teeth, or improve the appearance of misaligned teeth.
When it comes to cosmetic dental treatments, dental bonding is usually one of the least invasive. The composite bonding material can be shaped, hardened, and polished to blend in with the tooth being repaired. The material's colour can be adjusted to closely match the colour of your surrounding teeth.
Dental bonding is commonly used to repair chipped or discoloured teeth, but it is also commonly used to close gaps between teeth and to change the colour and shape of teeth to try and achieve a more symmetrical, cohesive appearance.
Recontouring
It is possible to quickly correct some uneven teeth by "shaving off" a small amount of enamel to make them more consistent with the surrounding teeth. For minor differences, this is normally the most effective treatment.