How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Reshape Teeth

Dental contouring reshapes the teeth and improves one’s smile. A cosmetic dentist can contour chipped, cracked, and uneven teeth. Contouring can be used to fix misaligned teeth as well. Here are the basics of dental contouring, when to get it, how it works, and what to expect during the procedure.

What is dental contouring?

Dental contouring — also known as tooth contouring, tooth reshaping, odontoplasty, or enameloplasty — is a fast, painless, and affordable procedure. The process is simple: The cosmetic dentist will remove some of the problem tooth’s outer layer (tooth enamel), then mold the tooth into the desired shape. Tooth reshaping is permanent.

Good candidates for tooth reshaping

Since the dentist must remove parts of the tooth enamel, tooth reshaping is best for patients in good dental health. Reshaping is used to fix minor cosmetic imperfections. Major dental problems, such as severe misalignment, cannot be fixed through reshaping.

Patients with gum disease, tooth decay, or infected pulps cannot get tooth reshaping. Weak or thin enamel may also disqualify patients from getting this treatment method. A cosmetic dentist can help these patients find the right alternate treatment for their needs and condition.

How tooth contouring works

The cosmetic dentist will thoroughly examine the patient’s mouth before starting the tooth contouring procedure. They will check the gum, tooth, and enamel health to ensure contouring is the right choice for the patient. Our team will also take dental X-rays to get an in-depth look at the patient’s current condition.

After verifying the patient is a candidate for tooth contouring, the cosmetic dentist will remove parts of the enamel with a drill or laser. They will then shape the tooth, such as by lengthening it. Dental bonding will refine the tooth’s shape if needed. Bonding is commonly used in dentistry to repair damaged teeth; made of tooth-colored resin, it blends in seamlessly with the teeth.

Tooth contouring is a simple dental procedure with nearly no recovery time. Some patients experience tooth sensitivity for about 24 hours afterward. If bonding is used, the patient may have to wait a few hours to eat or drink. However, most patients are able to resume normal activities immediately after contouring.

Pros and cons of teeth reshaping

Dental contouring has many benefits. For one, a cosmetic dentist can generally complete the entire process in one appointment. There is no recovery period unless bonding is involved. Contouring is also more affordable than other cosmetic dental procedures.

There are some minor disadvantages to dental contouring, however. First, the teeth may become sensitive if too much enamel is removed. Contouring is also not ideal for every patient, such as those with severe dental health conditions or multiple minorly damaged teeth. Other cosmetic treatments, like veneers, may be more suitable and cost-effective for patients looking to reshape more than one tooth.