Turkey teeth shaved down images are probably one of the most common pictures associated with the term “Turkey teeth“.
They are also one of the most commonly misinterpreted images.
Just because teeth have been shaved down does not mean something has been done incorrectly.
Some teeth need to be prepared prior to having a crown or veneer.
The question you should ask is:
“Why are my teeth so small?”
No.
The question you should be asking is:
“Why did they have to shave this amount off my tooth and did my tooth need this type of restoration.”
The reason is that depending on what type of treatment you are having will dictate how much of your tooth is shaved.
A tooth with a veneer will look very different from a tooth that is prepared for a crown or even a tooth that has minimal prep done.
What are Turkey Teeth Shaved Down?
As mentioned earlier Turkey teeth is not a procedure.
It’s a term used for many types of procedures done in Turkey. This can include veneers, crowns, extractions, dental implants, etc. It is part of the wider dental tourism and cosmetic dentistry conversation around smile makeovers.
When people speak about Turkey teeth shaved down they usually mean their teeth have been drastically filed down prior to their crowns or veneers being fitted.
The dentist will shave down your teeth using instruments to reshape and reduce the size of your tooth.
Depending on what is being placed onto your tooth will dictate how much your tooth has to be shaved down.
This is where a lot of people get confused online.
A tooth that is prepared for a crown will look very different to a tooth that is having a veneer placed on it.
Do Turkey Teeth Have To Be Shaved Down?
Not all procedures will require your teeth to be shaved down to these images you see online.
It all depends on the type of procedure you are having.
If your teeth need veneers or crowns then they may need to be shaved down. The amount of tooth preparation can also differ between traditional veneers, composite veneers and full crowns.
Here is a list of factors that can affect how much of your tooth needs to be shaved.
- Type of restoration
- Current shape of your tooth
- Position of your tooth
- Existing fillings
- Any cavities
- Amount of enamel on your tooth
- Restoration material
- Amount of room needed
- Treatment
Some patients may only have minimal prep done on their teeth.
Whereas others may have their entire tooth prepared.
Or in some cases we may add material to your teeth instead of shaving them down.
So next time you see an image of shaved turkey teeth know that not all patients will have their teeth prepared to this extent.
Why are teeth shaved down for crowns?
When a tooth needs to have a crown placed on it, the dentist must prepare the tooth.
The tooth needs to be shaved down to allow room for the crown.
The dentist will also prepare your tooth so the crown can fit correctly and sit flush against your other teeth.
If a tooth has become badly broken down or has excessive fillings a crown may be beneficial.
The tooth may need to be shaved down if it’s badly broken, has lots of fillings, is weak etc.
So why do some healthy teeth need to be prepared for a crown? This is especially important when shaving down healthy teeth mainly for cosmetic reasons.
Well again it depends on what type of crown, such as Emax, the patient wants placed.
If they want to change the colour of their teeth they may choose to have crowns placed.
This is not to say that crowns are bad.
It just depends on the situation.
Why are Turkey teeth shaved down for veneers?
Veneers are similar to crowns but only cover the front of the tooth.
Depending on what your tooth requires may mean it needs to be prepared.
The dentist may want to prepare the tooth so the veneer can sit on the tooth and not be too bulky.
Not all teeth will need to be shaved down for veneers either.
Some patients teeth will need to be shaved more than others.
This could be due to position of the tooth or current shape etc.
So if someone tells you “you are having veneers” they should explain to you what that means, including whether the veneer treatment involves minimal preparation or a more traditional veneer preparation.
Why are turkey teeth shaved down so small?
When preparing a tooth for a crown the dentist has to remove a portion of the tooth.
The tooth will look smaller than what you are used to.
This is what gives the appearance of “peg teeth” or “shark teeth” as they are known online.
Some people can be shocked when they see their teeth shaved down.
But this does not mean your teeth have been shaved down too much.
If a tooth requires a crown it will look small once it has been prepared.
You need to ask yourself why did that tooth need a crown and how much of the tooth was shaved down.
Are turkey teeth shaved down too much?
There are many articles online stating that if your teeth look like this then they have been shaved down too much.
This isn’t always the case.
If a tooth needs to be crowned then it will need to be shaved down.
The amount of tooth that has to be shaved down depends on many factors.
Just because a tooth looks small doesn’t mean it has been shaved down incorrectly.
If a patient has healthy teeth and wants to change the colour of their teeth. There are other options available to them. This is where preserving natural tooth structure should remain part of the treatment discussion.
How much tooth should be shaved down?
There is no percentage that can be stated as to how much of your tooth should be shaved down.
Again it depends on the type of restoration you are having.
Online there are many claims that your tooth should be shaved down X% when you have a crown.
This is not always true.
The dentist needs to shave your tooth down enough so they can create a restoration for you.
But they also want to leave you with as much natural tooth structure as possible.
If they shave your tooth down too little you may run into issues with your restoration.
Shaving your tooth down too much can lead to more issues in the future.
So it all comes down to what the dentist thinks is best for your situation.
Why is it important to keep your natural tooth?
When you have your tooth shaved down you are removing some of your natural tooth structure.
Your tooth consists of many layers.
On the outside you have enamel.
Underneath that you have dentine.
Then you have the pulp which contains the nerve.
If your tooth is shaved down too far you can cause damage to the nerve.
Which is why dentists try to leave you with as much natural tooth as possible. Preserving natural tooth structure can help support long-term dental health and oral health.
Can your teeth grow back after they have been shaved down?
No.
Your teeth will not grow back to their original size once they have been shaved down.
This is something you need to keep in mind before you let someone shave your teeth down.
If you decide you don’t want your crowns after they have been placed. Your teeth will still be shaved down.
You will have to have something placed on them to protect your teeth.
Can you remove Turkey teeth?
If your teeth have been shaved down and you want to go back to your natural teeth. You will not be able to do this.
Your dentist can remove your crowns but your teeth will still be shaved down.
You will have to have something placed on your teeth to protect them.
Can shaving your teeth damage your nerve?
Yes.
As mentioned above if your tooth is shaved down too far it can damage your nerve.
There are many factors that can contribute to this.
The amount of tooth that has been removed, existing fillings and cavities can all play a role.
After your teeth have been shaved down you may experience sensitivity.
This does not mean your nerve is dead.
But if your tooth continues to hurt you may need to have a root canal done. Persistent pain or sensitive teeth can also require further assessment for nerve damage or underlying infection.
Why are some peoples teeth shaved down more than others?
If your tooth is badly broken down you may need to have more of your tooth shaved down.
Whereas if you have healthy teeth and just want to change the colour you may not need to have as much shaved down.
If your teeth are healthy and you just want to achieve a perfect smile, you may have options available to you.
Such as whitening, orthodontics, bonding etc. Depending on the case, no-prep veneers or another conservative dental veneer option may also be discussed.
Its all going to depend on the patient and what they are looking to achieve.
What happens to your teeth under crowns?
Your tooth will still be there under your crown.
It just may look different to how it did before.
You still need to take care of your teeth under your crowns.
Make sure you keep them clean and see your dentist regularly.
Your teeth can still get cavities, break or even damage your nerve. Good dental hygiene and regular checks remain important even after cosmetic dental work.
Your crowns can also last for a long time. But they will need to be replaced at some point.
Will I need to have more of my tooth shaved down when my crowns are replaced?
This is something you should ask your dentist before you have your crowns placed.
When your crowns need to be replaced they will have to be removed.
Your dentist will evaluate x-rays to look at your tooth and see what is left.
If there is enough tooth left they may be able to place another crown on.
If not you may have to have more work done to your tooth.
Another reason why leaving as much natural tooth as possible is important.
What if my teeth have been shaved down too much?
If your teeth have been shaved down too much you may experience sensitivity or even damage to your nerve.
You may also have difficulty getting your restorations to stay on your teeth.
Your dentist will need to assess your teeth and see what can be done.
Just because your teeth look small doesn’t mean they have been shaved down too much.
Can your teeth last after they have been shaved down?
Yes.
If your teeth have been shaved down and have crowns placed on them they can last for a long time.
It depends on many factors.
How much tooth is left, what type of restoration you have, how you look after them etc.
So dont think that just because your teeth have been shaved down they are going to fail.
Could you have done something different?
If your teeth are healthy and you just want to change the colour of your teeth. You may have other options available to you before committing to an irreversible Hollywood smile treatment.
Whitening
If you just want to change the colour of your teeth whitening may be a good option for you.
Orthodontics
If you want to straighten your teeth or close gaps orthodontics may be a good option.
Bonding
You can also have composite placed on your teeth. This can help with the shape and colour of your teeth.
Veneers
You may be able to have minimal prep veneers placed on your teeth.
These are all options you should discuss with your dentist.
Why you should have a digital mock up
Having a digital mock up can help you see what your teeth will look like after your treatment.
Your dentist can create a digital smile for you to see.
Or they can create a wax up of your teeth. This can help you assess the proposed smile makeover before permanent tooth preparation begins.
This can help you see if your teeth need to be shaved down or not.
Questions to ask before your teeth are shaved down
Before you let anyone shave your teeth down ask them the following questions.
- Why do I need this treatment?
- What are my options?
- How much of my tooth will be shaved down?
- Do I have any cavities or existing fillings?
- Can I have a smaller preparation done?
- What will happen if I decide I don’t want this treatment?
- What will my teeth look like when they are shaved down?
- Will I have temporary teeth placed?
- How will my bite be checked?
- What will happen when my restorations need to be replaced?
- What will I receive after my treatment is completed?
These are just some questions you should ask before having your teeth shaved down.
What to do if your teeth have been shaved down
First don’t panic.
Just because your teeth have been shaved down doesn’t mean something has been done incorrectly.
If your teeth are fine and you have no symptoms. Keep looking after them and see your dentist.
If your teeth start to hurt or you notice anything unusual see your dentist.
You want to keep your natural tooth structure as intact as possible.
Turkey teeth shaved down conclusion
I hope this article has helped you understand why your teeth have been shaved down.
Just because your teeth look small doesn’t mean they have been shaved down too much.
Always ask your dentist why your teeth need to be shaved down and how much will be removed.
Once your teeth have been shaved down there is nothing you can do to grow them back.
So make sure you understand what you are letting happen to your teeth.
Sources
- General Dental Council — Going abroad for your dental care
- PubMed — Survival rates for porcelain laminate veneers with special reference to the effect of preparation in dentin: a literature review
- PubMed — Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis