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How teeth become irregularly shaped
Teeth that are irregularly shaped or uneven can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetics and teeth grinding at any age. Uneven teeth can cause or be caused by two common dental problems: functional bite issues and TMJ disorder. TMJ disorders are muscle, joint, and nerve problems that cause chronic facial pain. TMJ can be caused by any problem that prevents the complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working in harmony.
What happens if I have uneven teeth?
Teeth that are out of proportion to your face can, among other things, make you look older, cause wrinkles, and provide insufficient support for your jaw and facial structure. Our dentists at Cornerstone Dental Group - Dr Rex Hawthorne and Associates can examine your smile and bite as part of our cosmetic dental services to determine if this is the case for you, and then treat the issue as needed.
What treatment options are available?
Bear in mind that treatment options are decided on a case-to-case basis. Depending on your case, you may be a candidate for one of the following options:
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials that are used to cover the front surface of teeth to change their appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of your teeth and can alter their colour, shape, size, or length.
Veneers can improve the appearance of your teeth as well as the function of your bite. Our Vernon dentists can help you achieve proper bite and jaw alignment with custom-designed porcelain veneers.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding may be recommended to repair tooth damage, fill a gap between two teeth, or improve the appearance of misaligned teeth.
Dental bonding is usually one of the least invasive cosmetic dental treatments. Shape, harden, and polish the composite bonding material to match the tooth being repaired. The colour of the material can be adjusted to match the colour of your surrounding teeth.
Dental bonding is commonly used to repair chipped or discoloured teeth, but it is also commonly used to close gaps between teeth and to change the colour and shape of teeth to try and achieve a more symmetrical, cohesive appearance.
Recontouring
Some uneven teeth can be quickly corrected by "shaving off" a small amount of enamel and making them more consistent with the surrounding teeth. This is normally the most effective treatment for minor differences.