Metal Mouth Message Board

My teeth right now are finally straight on the bottom for the most part! BUT, because of how my teeth were before, they have worn very unevenly. Anyone else have this problem? How did you fix it?

I'm interested in this too as I have the same problem.

Your teeth look amazing by the way!

Same here, only on top. They said they may reshape or worst-case scenario would be veneers.

I went through the same phase, wondering how my teeth got so messed up that none of the tops were even. Once I got into the finishing phase the biting surfaces somehow began to get even once again. Don't worry about it. There won't be as much filing needed as you think.

I have the same problem. My ortho said that some will even out with time but that my dentist will either file them down or add some composite materials to ones that don't. She said if some have quite a big discrepancy then I might need veneers.

Wow - great result Braceschick - you must be happy with the changes!
I remember seeing your photos a few months back (if that) and they look fantastic now!
I will be having the same issue of needing to file/fill my teeth when I am nearing completion too - I can already see I may have a black triangle between two front teeth also. My ortho said he will either file or make them level with a composite material - no problem.
Let us know what you end up having done!

hi BracesChick, I'm very interested in how you go too. I've been thinking about this too!

I will have this same problem if I go ahead with braces. Apparently for me, composite material might be possible followed once the braces come off. I didn't ask my orthodontist the specifics yet so I am not sure how a grinding splint works with the aligners - would be very important to get a splint prevent further damage. At the same time, those that grind their teeth apparently aren't the best candidates for composites or veneers as they can chip etc.

My orthodontist would want to use a permanent wire on the back of the bottom teeth as the aligner and a clear plastic aligner on the top to be worn night and day for months (totally not keen to have the plasticy look after all the work of braces).

Did you have a grinding splint before or during braces? I have one now and its great - I'm a little reluctant to give it up and get braces as I picture my teeth grinding the whole time haha.

Some thoughts below:

(1) Its hard to work out the timing and order of the steps! To try to guess: 1) braces come off, 2) wires immediately placed on the back of the bottom teeth as the aligner, 3) grinding splint moulded and sent away to be built, 4) 2 to 3 weeks after braces removed, teeth whitened to shade you want long term, 5) composite material applied on top and bottom to even out grinding damage and match color of other teeth, 6) clear plastic aligners moulded and fitted to the top teeth, and 7) grinding splint is ready to be worn.

(2) Can a grinding splint be worn at the same time as wearing aligners after the braces are removed? Maybe it works OK if the bottom teeth have wires on the back as the aligner, plus the grinding splint is fitted on the bottom (as is currently the case). Without a splint I think that the plastic aligner on the top would act as the splint and get damaged quickly.

(3) Could the top teeth move out of alignment in the wait to whiten and composite fill the teeth? Most people have the aligners moulded immediately so that the teeth don't move. But if you then go on to get the composite material, the aligner won't be the right shape anymore. Its a catch 22!! So you probably have to wait before you get the aligner. Has anyone worked this out?

(4) Whitening takes awhile. And unless you get the in house teeth whitening such as ZOOM (which my dentist doesn't offer), again they take a mould, send it away to be built, then you spend time for 2 weeks or so trying to whiten them etc.

(5) The tray for teeth whitening has to match your teeth exactly. The trays are expensive here. Like with the problem above, if you get composites, you would need a new whitening tray to be moulded for your newly shaped teeth. So maybe one would have to get ZOOM whitening to avoid this scenario, then go back later for the moulds. Very expensive way to do it either way!!

All the best and your teeth are looking lovely!