The primary method to make big teeth appear smaller involves professional dental procedures performed by a cosmetic dentist. This is accomplished by carefully reshaping and trimming the teeth.
Procedures for Reducing Tooth Size
Cosmetic dentists can employ specific techniques to reduce the apparent size of teeth. Here's a breakdown of common approaches:
Trimming and Reshaping
- Filing Down Sides: Dentists use specialized tools, such as diamond burs and diamond strips, to carefully narrow teeth by filing down their sides. This procedure helps reduce the overall width of each tooth.
- Trimming Biting Edges: To shorten overly long teeth, the dentist will carefully trim the biting edges. This process reduces the vertical length of the tooth, making them appear smaller.
Tools and Techniques
The tools and techniques are precise and require a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. These include:
* **Diamond Burs**: These are small, specialized dental tools with diamond grit that allow for controlled removal of tooth structure.
* **Diamond Strips**: These narrow abrasive strips are used to refine and smooth the sides of the teeth after the initial filing.
Considerations
It is essential to consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist to determine the best approach for reducing the size of your teeth. They can evaluate your specific needs and ensure the procedure is done safely and effectively.
Procedure | Description | Goal | Tools |
---|---|---|---|
Filing Sides | Using burs and strips to narrow teeth horizontally | Reducing tooth width | Diamond burs and diamond strips |
Trimming Edges | Removing small portions of the biting edge to reduce vertical length | Reducing tooth length | Diamond burs and strips |