Is it possible to reduce the size of large teeth?

Julia Roberts, an Academy Award winner and frequent name on People Magazine's 'Most Beautiful' list, is often admired for her radiant smile. Similarly, Tom Cruise, famous for his iconic 'show me the money!' line and Oprah's couch moment, is equally celebrated for his dazzling 'Top Gun' grin. Cosmetic dentists reveal that Julia and Tom are among the top celebrities whose smiles patients aspire to replicate [source: Chicago Dental Society].

While many aspire to achieve the Hollywood star look with larger teeth, others prefer a more subtle appearance, wishing their teeth were less prominent. In such instances, a dentist can reshape the teeth to achieve the desired look.

Tooth reshaping, also known as recontouring, striping, slenderizing, or informally as shaving, is a process where a dentist removes small amounts of enamel to modify a tooth's length or shape. This straightforward procedure is only suitable for teeth with sufficient enamel. Beneath the enamel lies dentin, a sensitive material that requires adequate enamel coverage for protection. Dentists typically assess enamel thickness using X-rays.

If you're contemplating tooth reshaping, explore more about the process and its alternatives on the following page.

Tooth Reshaping

While dental visits can be daunting, tooth reshaping is a straightforward, quick, and painless procedure that doesn't require numbing.

Similar to smoothing wood with sandpaper, dentists use sanding discs or diamond burs to refine a tooth's shape. Once reshaped, the tooth is polished to complete its new appearance.

Reshaping isn't always the best solution for adjusting tooth size or shape. What appears to be large teeth might not be the root cause of an uneven smile. Often, a tooth seems oversized because its neighbor is too small, creating a dental optical illusion. Cosmetic dentists note this is a frequent misconception [source: Bakeman].

When the issue is a tooth that's too small, bonding is the solution. This involves applying tooth-colored resin to lengthen or widen the tooth. Though slightly more complex than reshaping, bonding remains one of the simpler and less painful cosmetic dental procedures.

Is reshaping beneficial for your teeth? Removing excessive enamel can increase sensitivity to hot and cold, but when done correctly, reshaping is harmless. It can even improve dental health by eliminating areas where plaque and tartar accumulate.

Considering calling your dentist to achieve a celebrity-worthy smile like Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, or even Gary Busey? Continue reading for more insights on dental health.