Have you been told you grind your teeth, or do you frequently experience chipped veneers or composite bonding? Perhaps you're suffering from painful molars or cracked back teeth? Canine risers could be the solution you're looking for.
What are Canine Risers?
Canine risers are a simple, non-invasive treatment where your dentist adds composite material (a tooth-coloured filling) to the back of your canine teeth—the sharp, pointed teeth towards the front of your mouth. This treatment slightly bulks out and lengthens these teeth, restoring something called "canine guidance."
The yellow arrow shows a flattened, worn down canine tooth,
When this person grinds or chews, her back teeth rub against each other in a sideways motion (this is not good for them).
Making the canine bulkier and longer with canine risers restores ‘canine guidance’ and prevents your back teeth from rubbing sideways.
What Is Canine Guidance?
And Why Does It Matter?When you bite your teeth together and move your jaw side-to-side (like when chewing or grinding), your canine teeth — the pointy ones next to your front teeth — should be the only teeth touching during that movement.
This is called canine guidance.
Why is canine guidance important?
Your back teeth (molars and premolars) are designed to handle up-and-down forces, like biting or chewing. But they’re not built for side-to-side pressure. Without proper guidance, these teeth can start rubbing together during jaw movements, which over time can lead to:
Tooth wear and chipping
Cracks or damage to fillings, crowns, composite bonding and other dental restorations.
Strain in the jaw muscles and joints (TMD)
Headaches or facial pain in some cases
But it’s not just your back teeth at risk. Your front teeth aren’t designed to handle sideways grinding either.
In fact, if you slide your jaw without proper canine guidance, your front teeth can start to wear down, chip, or fracture — especially if you’ve had composite bonding or veneers placed. These types of restorations can be ground off much more quickly if unprotected.
The canines are there to “guide” your jaw. They’re strong, long-rooted teeth built to take this pressure and protect both the front and back teeth from damage.
What if I don’t have proper canine guidance?
Not everyone naturally has canine guidance, especially if:
Your canines are worn down, missing, or short
Your bite has changed due to tooth movement, grinding, or dental work
You’ve had orthodontic treatment that didn’t preserve canine guidance
In these situations, your jaw movements start putting excessive pressure on both the back and front teeth. That can lead to worn enamel, cracks, sensitivity, or damage to dental work like bonding and veneers.
Below is a video that explains the situation very well
How Are Canine Risers Placed — and How Do They Work?
Placing canine risers is a straightforward, minimally invasive process. It’s usually done in a single appointment and often requires no drilling and no anaesthetic.
Step-by-step: What to Expect
Bite assessment
First, your dentist will check how your teeth meet and move, particularly how your jaw slides side-to-side. This helps us confirm whether your canine teeth are guiding your bite properly.Placement of the risers
A small amount of tooth-coloured composite resin (similar to white filling material) is bonded onto the back of your canine teeth. This is carefully sculpted to the right height and shape to engage when your jaw moves.Fine-tuning the bite
We’ll ask you to move your jaw naturally and make tiny adjustments to make sure only the canines touch during side movements — not your front or back teeth. This step is key to making sure the risers guide your bite correctly and comfortably.Polishing and finishing
The risers are then polished smooth to blend in with your natural teeth. They’ll look and feel discreet, and many people forget they’re even there.
How Do They Work?
Canine risers work by:
Restoring proper canine guidance so the jaw glides safely without placing pressure on the front or back teeth
Taking the load off teeth that weren’t designed to handle grinding forces — especially important if you have bonding or veneers
Helping to relax overworked jaw muscles and reduce tension caused by an uneven bite
Protecting your long-term dental work by preventing damage from wear
They’re fully reversible, and adjustments can be made over time if needed.
How Long Do Canine Risers Last?
Canine risers are made from durable composite resin, similar to what’s used in white fillings. On average, they can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on:
How heavily you grind or clench your teeth
Whether you wear a night guard (if advised)
Your bite pattern and jaw movement
Your general oral hygiene and maintenance
They're easy to repair or refresh if they chip or wear down, and the process is quick and non-invasive. Some patients may need minor touch-ups over time, while others find their risers last for many years without issue.
Your dentist will check the risers during routine appointments and let you know if any adjustments are needed.
Do I Need Canine Risers?
It’s worth noting that many people function perfectly well without full canine guidance. The mouth can often adapt over time, and not everyone needs treatment.
Canine risers are usually only recommended if there’s a specific problem your dentist identifies — such as ongoing tooth wear, jaw pain, or damage to dental work. If your bite is contributing to those issues, risers may be a simple, protective solution.
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