I wore Invisalign for 13 months, but I still have rough teeth edges. I did not expect Invisalign to correct the edges, but I thought my general dentist would. However, my dentist says the edges don’t look bad. But I want them to look good, and I am uncomfortable with leaving them that way. I am a 44- year-old human resources professional and want my smile to look its best, and this look falls short. How can I convince my dentist to do something about my rough teeth edges? – Thank you. Keiko from NV

 

Keiko,

Although your dentist thinks your teeth edges look okay after Invisalign treatment, you can get them reshaped. We understand your goal not only to straighten your teeth but to have an appealing tooth shape.

How Can You Get Rough Teeth Edges Smoothed?

You can get rough teeth edges smooth with a procedure called enameloplasty. It is also referred to as cosmetic contouring or teeth filing. A cosmetic dentist can reshape your tooth enamel and polish your teeth afterward.

Who Can Reshape Your Rough Teeth Edges?

You can trust an advanced cosmetic dentist to smooth your rough teeth edges. When a dentist changes the length of our teeth, it can affect your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet). But a cosmetic dentist understands how to smooth your edges and without causing bite problems.

How Does a Dentist Smooth Rough Teeth Edges?

A cosmetic dentist can smooth rough teeth edges with these steps:

• Use a dental instrument, such as a sanding disc or burr, to remove a small amount of tooth enamel from each tooth
• Shape each tooth
• Polish your teeth

Sometimes, a cosmetic dentist will add composite bonding to fill in the sides of some teeth to improve their overall shape.

How Long Does It Take to Smooth Rough Teeth Edges?

Smoothing rough teeth edges takes about 30 minutes, depending on how many teeth are affected. During your consultation with a cosmetic dentist, they will give you a time estimate.

Does It Hurt?

Smoothing rough teeth edges is painless because a skilled cosmetic dentist will only remove a small amount of tooth enamel. And tooth enamel does not contain nerves. However, let your dentist know if you have dental anxiety, and they will explain your options for sedation.

Dr. Brian LeSage, DDS, an accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, sponsors this post. Dr. LeSage is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.