The History of Dentistry
Are Your Canine Teeth Too Prominent? Here's How to Fix Them
Regina Carlson
Many animals have rather impressive sets of teeth. Having said that, you would probably prefer that your own teeth don't look like they should belong to a wolf or bear. The "pointy teeth" in your mouth are known as your mandibular and maxillary canine teeth. While noticeably more pointed than the other teeth in your mouth, some people might find the tip of their canine teeth to be much too defined. It's entirely a personal preference, but if you are unhappy with the shape and definition of your mandibular and maxillary canines, fortunately, it's rather straightforward to have them reshaped.
Dental Recontouring
The prospect of having your teeth filed down might not sound so pleasant, but it's a simple aspect of cosmetic dentistry. If you are particularly squeamish, a local anesthetic can be applied, but this should not be necessary, as the procedure is not painful. The procedure is known as recontouring and involves the dentist gently reshaping the tip of the tooth to give it a rounder tip. A small electric sanding disc is used on the tooth to achieve this. The preparation work is minimal, although your dentist might take an x-ray of the tooth in question to determine the location of the dental pulp in the tooth in question. The pulp is the nerve within each tooth, and it's important not to expose this pulp, as it can lead to increased sensitivity, as well as making the tooth more susceptible to decay.
Dental Veneers
If you are not a suitable candidate for full recontouring (such as if your dental pulp is too close to the surface of the tooth), your dentist might need to try a different approach. A tiny amount of the tooth can be filed off (far less than with recontouring), which is necessary to prepare the tooth for a dental veneer. A veneer is a wafer thin piece of porcelain composite that has been custom-made for you. This veneer is bonded to the surface of the tooth and changes its appearance (covering the defined, pointed tip of the canine tooth).
Misaligned Teeth
It might also be the case that your mandibular and maxillary canine teeth are not as sharp-looking as you might think. The teeth that are adjacent might be slightly inset (misaligned). This gives the optical effect that your canine teeth are more conspicuous than they actually are (as the neighbouring teeth are slightly behind them, as opposed to standing directly next to them). This might require teeth straightening. Braces are the most common solution for this, but your dentist will be able to discuss the numerous other options with you.
For more information, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area.
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved stories about the past. Whether the stories were about horses, wars, exploration or even dentistry, I loved to hear them. I find that knowing the history of something helps it to make sense and feel approachable. I know that some people have dental anxiety, and I too have suffered, but I also feel like the more you know about dental work and its history, the easier it is. This blog is dedicated to exploring the history of dentistry – What did ancient people use for fillings? How did early dentists numb their patients? Who was the first dentist? Those are just some of the questions I plan to answer here. Ready? Okay, let's dive into the history of dentistry together!