Shaving down bottom teeth

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#1 Post by **Chris** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:16 pm

Did anyone have their bottom teeth shaved down so that the molars touch more in the back? I have pretty tall bottom teeth and right now all my bottom teeth hit first when I bite down.

#2 Post by **Anticipator** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:38 am

I have only had IPR done, nothing that affects the length of the tooth.

Has your orthodontist said this would be a procedure you'd face? IIRC aren't you using elastics now? Perhaps this is a temporary side effect?

Good luck.

#3 Post by **Attagirl2** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:51 am

Hi Chris. Years ago - like 40 something.... I had to have one of my first premolars shaved quite a bit because I wasn't able to close my bite on the left side. I didn't know this was happening until my Grandmother told me I was grinding my teeth in my sleep. Turns out it was longer and fatter than the opposing teeth. As for in braces, my bite is being adjusted by elastics. Since you say you have long teeth, that is probably why he has chosen to go the route in question. If he lengthen the tooth/jaw, maybe you would have trouble chewing food....

Good luck to you.

#4 Post by **Chris** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:40 am

Thanks for the replies. Actually, the ortho hasn't said anything yet. I was just wondering if that was an option. My TMJ acts up everytime they use the elastics in the back to bring my bite together so I'm not sure how much he will be able to do. He has a kink in the arch wire to bring a bottom molar up that doesnt touch at all the top tooth, so far its not cooperating. I'm afraid if he DOES suggest grinding done my bottoms that my TMJ may be in a worse position, more deep bite. I don't know, I'm not the expert. Most orthos unless they are "functional ortho's" don't pay much consideration to the TMJ while they are straightening your teeth. I just don't want more problems with my bite after the braces are off.

Website · #5 Post by **susieq182** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:51 pm

hey there chris I have noticed the same thing with my TMJ issues. they come and go but have been alot worse since my ortho upped my elastic. I was in 1/2" medium ringtail lemurs durning the day and 3/8" heavy Purlpes at night. they moved it up to just the purples 24/7 and my jaw has been complaining since monday. alot more popping. I dont know much since in the grand scheme of braces i still think i am a newbie, but having your teeth shaved sounds like a last resort type of thing. My ortho isnt much for words but he does ask me at every adjustment how my jaw is feeling and how much popping I have had. then he makes notes about it. I have made it very clear to my ortho that my bite is priority #1 and he made it equal as clear that for my bite to be perfect my teeth may not be 100% straight, but my bite will be perfect. I hope your ortho finds a solution for you that helps your TMJ and benifits your bite.

#6 Post by **texasangel** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:55 pm

Chris, if you are talking about the bottom "front" teeth - yes, my ortho filed my front 4 teeth and slightly shortened my bottom canines and it improved my bite. He didn't take much off, but it really helped. Now my back molars meet first.

#7 Post by **Chris** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:48 pm

Chris, if you are talking about the bottom "front" teeth - yes, my ortho filed my front 4 teeth and slightly shortened my bottom canines and it improved my bite. He didn't take much off, but it really helped. Now my back molars meet first.

Got any before and after photos?