Teeth Contouring

Dental contouring, also known as teeth reshaping, is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves the reshaping of teeth. Also known as odontoplasty or enameloplasty, this procedure involves removing enamel from the surface of the teeth to improve their shape, size, and general appearance. Teeth reshaping can improve the patient’s overall smile and confidence by making their teeth look even, uniform, and smooth.

Dental contouring is a suitable procedure for those seeking the cosmetic contouring of teeth. This procedure can address issues such as small cracks, chips, overcrowding, overlapping of teeth, or permanent stains on the teeth. While these issues are generally very minor, addressing them through teeth contouring and reshaping significantly improves your overall smile. Furthermore, it may also minimize the risks of dental problems in the future.

Who is a good candidate for tooth reshaping? 

Dental contouring/ tooth reshaping is a suitable procedure for patients who feel dissatisfied with the shape, size, or general appearance of their teeth. Unless you have a strong understanding of dental anatomy, you might not even realize what bothers you, but you’ll know that something feels wrong about your smile. The cosmetic dentist will examine your teeth to determine if you can benefit from tooth contouring to correct minor problems.

The cosmetic dentist will perform an initial exam to identify all the aesthetic problems with your teeth. If you have some dental conditions, such as cavities and gum inflammation, they will have to be addressed first. The dentist will also take x-rays to identify the size and location of the pulp chambers of your teeth. If you have sufficient enamel for the procedure, the dentist will curate a personalized tooth reshaping treatment plan for you.

The benefits of teeth reshaping:

• Non-invasive procedure
• Simple cosmetic procedure
• Less costly than most other cosmetic treatments
• Can correct minor problems, such as cracks and stains
• No need for anesthesia or pain medications
• Concludes within one session
• Minimizes the risk of future dental problems
• Instantly improves your smile
• Permanent results

How does tooth contouring work?

Tooth reshaping is a simple, in-office procedure that concludes within 30 to 60 minutes with no downtime. Your tooth contouring procedure starts with an initial consultation and dental x-rays, wherein the cosmetic dentist ensures you’re a suitable candidate. You should have optimal oral health and sufficient enamel for the procedure. If you have weak enamel, your cosmetic dentist may recommend porcelain veneers instead.

During the tooth contouring procedure, the cosmetic dentist removes some of the enamel from the front surface of your tooth. This is done using a fine diamond bur or sanding discs, thereby minimizing the dental cracks and imperfections. The cosmetic dentist will modify and adjust the shape, size, or length of the tooth, smoothing out the uneven edges. This is done to improve the cosmetic appearance and your bite.

If you have small chips or cracks on your teeth, the procedure may involve cosmetic bonding. In this case, the cosmetic dentist will place a cosmetic resin putty-like substance on your teeth. The bonding material will harden until it matches the surrounding enamel. The cosmetic dentist will polish the composite resin until your tooth looks smooth, natural, and flawless. The procedure concludes within 30 minutes.

Is there any recovery time involved?

Dental contouring doesn’t involve any downtime or recovery period. You can resume your daily activities immediately and continue eating and drinking whatever you want. However, you must follow optimal oral hygiene and aftercare tips to maintain the results. To minimize the risk of composite resin cracking, you should not bite your nails or other hard objects. You should also reduce your consumption of tea, coffee, and red wine because they can stain your teeth.