In June, I should be finished with braces. I had jagged teeth edges before braces, and now that all my teeth are even, the edges are more noticeable. I want to smooth out the edges as soon as possible after my braces are off. Is this something my orthodontist can do, or should I ask my family dentist? I do not want to mention it to either of them yet, so I wrote your office for independent advice. Thank you. Marcus

Marcus,

Thank you for sending your inquiry to our office. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist to smooth your jagged tooth edges. The procedure is called enameloplasty.

What Is Enameloplasty?

Enameloplasty is a dental procedure that removes small amounts of tooth enamel to reshape a tooth. The process is also called cosmetic contouring or tooth contouring. Enameloplasty can smooth your jagged tooth edges.

When Is Enameloplasty Used?

Emanemloplasty conceals minor imperfections in teeth. It is less expensive than treatment with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. But it can be used along with those cosmetic dentistry treatments. In some cases, after braces, composite bonding might be used to fill in and shape your teeth.

Enameloplasty improves these flaws:

• Chips
• Fractures
• Jagged edges
• Length
• Misalignment
• Pointy teeth
• Slight overlap

When tooth length is affected

If enameloplasty will change your tooth length, smoothing the edges can be challenging. It can also change your bite. Experienced cosmetic dentists know how to smooth tooth edges without disrupting your bite.

In the example below, a dentist shaped a patient’s tooth edges. And composite bonding finished the side of the teeth.

Choosing a Doctor to Smooth Jagged Edges

Which doctor should you choose to soften a jagged tooth—your orthodontist or family dentist? If your teeth only need minor shaping with dental bonding, your family dentist or orthodontist should be able to complete it. But if more is involved, we recommend an advanced cosmetic dentist. 

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post