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I need to fix one tooth

Lean L

Lean L

Diamond Member
So I had braces years ago. Since then my teeth have changed a little. They are still mostly in the proper shape and all with one exception. One of my two main incisors is slightly lower than the other one. We're talking less than 1/2mm here but it is noticeable when compared to my lips. Without going to invisaline or braces is there anyway I can get them to line up perfectly again?
 
Lean L said:
So I had braces years ago. Since then my teeth have changed a little. They are still mostly in the proper shape and all with one exception. One of my two main incisors is slightly lower than the other one. We're talking less than 1/2mm here but it is noticeable when compared to my lips. Without going to invisaline or braces is there anyway I can get them to line up perfectly again?
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incisal adjustment. without seeing what you mean exactly, it might be possible for the dentist to just contour (read: use the drill/sandpaper) to adjust the length of the longer tooth.
 
moshquerade said:
incisal adjustment. without seeing what you mean it might be possible for the dentist to just contour (read: use the drill/sandpaper) to adjust the length of the longer tooth.
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Won't that expose more nerves and make it sensitive as well as less durable?
 
Lean L said:
Won't that expose more nerves and make it sensitive as well as less durable?
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not if it's just 1/2mm

here is where the nerves are housed in the tooth. as you can see the nerve tissue doesn't extend all the way to the top of the tooth.

tooth_xray_an.gif
 
Go to dentist. Besides what you want to do, chances are you have cavities that yet do not hurt, but need to be fixed ASAP.
 
+1 for the angle grinder method. Should do the trick nicely, and you save your copay for something more meaningful, like hookers and blow.
 
BillGates said:
WAT
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I think I get what he's saying.

I didn't think I had any cavities but one visit to the dentist a year or two back showed that I had a small one. Fixed and filled right then and there.

I'm not genetically prone to cavities though so I'm not too worried about it.
 
When you finished braces, you may have been given a retainer with a wire "bow" that rests in front of your upper teeth (Hawley retainer). If this was the retainer you were given and still have it can be used to intrude the incisor tooth (if is still fits). The orthodontist/dentist can add a composite "button" to the facial surface of the tooth (the side of the tooth you see) and then use the retainers bow to intrude the tooth.

If you don't have the retainer, a new one can be made and the same procedure can be done (needs retainer wear compliance and costs less). Partial upper front braces can be done as well (less compliance needed and costs more). You will need long term retention after re-treatment and if your bite allows a fixed retainer will be your best option.
 
roofus100 said:
When you finished braces, you may have been given a retainer with a wire "bow" that rests in front of your upper teeth (Hawley retainer). If this was the retainer you were given and still have it can be used to intrude the incisor tooth (if is still fits). The orthodontist/dentist can add a composite "button" to the facial surface of the tooth (the side of the tooth you see) and then use the retainers bow to intrude the tooth.

If you don't have the retainer, a new one can be made and the same procedure can be done (needs retainer wear compliance and costs less). Partial upper front braces can be done as well (less compliance needed and costs more). You will need long term retention after re-treatment and if your bite allows a fixed retainer will be your best option.
Click to expand...

Nice first post after lurking for 8 months!
 
roofus100 said:
When you finished braces, you may have been given a retainer with a wire "bow" that rests in front of your upper teeth (Hawley retainer). If this was the retainer you were given and still have it can be used to intrude the incisor tooth (if is still fits). The orthodontist/dentist can add a composite "button" to the facial surface of the tooth (the side of the tooth you see) and then use the retainers bow to intrude the tooth.

If you don't have the retainer, a new one can be made and the same procedure can be done (needs retainer wear compliance and costs less). Partial upper front braces can be done as well (less compliance needed and costs more). You will need long term retention after re-treatment and if your bite allows a fixed retainer will be your best option.
Click to expand...
Orthodontist or Ortho Assistant?
 
roofus100 said:
When you finished braces, you may have been given a retainer with a wire "bow" that rests in front of your upper teeth (Hawley retainer). If this was the retainer you were given and still have it can be used to intrude the incisor tooth (if is still fits). The orthodontist/dentist can add a composite "button" to the facial surface of the tooth (the side of the tooth you see) and then use the retainers bow to intrude the tooth.

If you don't have the retainer, a new one can be made and the same procedure can be done (needs retainer wear compliance and costs less). Partial upper front braces can be done as well (less compliance needed and costs more). You will need long term retention after re-treatment and if your bite allows a fixed retainer will be your best option.
Click to expand...

Yeah I had a retainer but it wasn't of the Hawley type. I have not thought about that but I guess that may be an option. Last I heard, a retainer costs $500

Now to see if the cost is justified. This is purely aesthetic and not too noticeable at that.
 
Harbor Freight has low priced angle grinders.

Their power tools don't have a great reputation for reliability, but it'll do for this one-time job.
 
Angle grinder is not precise enough, I'd go with a Dremel or Fein tool with proper abrasive attachment. Go through the nerves and all if you need to, then coat the tooth with some kind of plastic based material that will harden. Idealy if you can find the light activated stuff dentists use.

In all seriousness, just see a dentist. 😛 Something like that should be covered under your plan so you wont end up paying much, if anything.
 
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