Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 12/21/2007

Question
I just had my braces taken off on my top teeth.  The orthodontist shaved my two front teeth down to make them even. Prior to him doing that, I had one bonded front tooth that was shorter than my other virgin front tooth.  Now, in my opinion, the virgin tooth is shorter than the bonded tooth and I am completely going crazy over this.  I have questions about this: 1)Should my orthodontist have done this? and 2)Will my dentist be able to add on to make it even. 3)If my tooth has been bonded for 22 years, do I need to touch it or should I leave it alone (I am told that it is very stained on the inside of the tooth) 4)What should be the length of the 2 front teeth?

Answer
Dear Monique,

Because your orthodontist's efforts were solely intended to improve the cosmetic appearance of the teeth, and because your opinion of what looks good is as valid (or more valid) than anyone else's, then by definition your orthodontist should not have over-shortened the virgin tooth.

Your dentist will be able to adjust for the tooth length discrepancy, by either bonding the now-short tooth, or perhaps shortening or replacing the bonded resin on the adjacent tooth. There is nothing about a 22-year-old filling that would make it inadvisable to adjust or replace it, if that is what would provide a favorable outcome.

There is no absolute "correct" length for the upper central incisors; it is determined by the relative positions of the opposing lower incisors when the mouth is closed, phonetic function, and your conception of what looks good. There is certainly some wiggle-room that will allow your dentist to modify the lengths of these teeth for improved cosmetic appearance while remaining within the geometric limits of what will provide proper physiologic function.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY