Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
How To Fix Jagged-Looking Teeth
Eleanor Crawford
Anybody that suffers from having jagged teeth is likely not happy with their smile. Thankfully, there are some dental care services that can be used to get those teeth looking perfect. Consider the following ways to make your smile go from jagged to flawless.
File Down The Teeth
It's possible that you have jagged teeth due to having a lot of enamel on them. If so, the dentist can actually file down the jagged points of the teeth and not cause permanent damage that ruins the enamel. This option won't be used if it will leave the teeth exposed afterward without enamel on certain spots, since it will make the teeth more prone to having cavities. Dentists often refer to this procedure as contouring, so make sure to ask about it during your next visit.
Add More Tooth Material
If you are lacking enamel and cannot use contouring, your dentist may try to go the opposite way and add more tooth material to make the jagged edges look more smooth. This process is known as dental bonding, and requires that bonding material is applied to the tooth by hand to fill in the spots that make the tooth look jagged. The material is cured under a special light so that it becomes solid, and those bonded teeth can be used for chewing food afterward.
Cover The Front Surface
Another cosmetic option involves applying a thin shell, known as a dental veneer, to the front of the tooth that covers the imperfections. Installing a dental veneer involves shaving off a thin layer of enamel to make the surface of the tooth rough, which allows the veneer to essentially be glued to the front surface of the tooth. From the front, you won't be able to tell that there is a jagged tooth hidden behind the veneer surface.
Cap The Tooth
A jagged tooth can also be covered with a dental crown. This option is ideal if there are other issues with the tooth already, since a dental crown can be used to cover a tooth that has a deep cavity or in need of a root canal. The crown will be placed on top of the existing tooth like a cap but will have a new shape to it that no longer looks jagged. This procedure is more expensive than the other options, but it may be more affordable if you're already getting another dental procedure.
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