One of the most common aesthetic dental concerns is also one of the easiest and simplest treatments available. A chip in a front tooth, worn uneven edges, shallow pits or grooves in the tooth enamel are all minor issues, easily resolved with aesthetic tooth contouring.
Using a polishing instrument, we are able to remove small amounts of tooth enamel to improve the shape and aesthetics of your teeth. This quick and painless procedure can make a big difference in your smile. Because it is relatively inexpensive and noninvasive, it is a good place to start changing your smile to the one that you have always wanted. Minor bite problems can also be resolved with contouring and reshaping.
An ideal candidate for aesthetic tooth contouring would have minor imperfections in their teeth such as small chips, slight unevenness, slight overlaps, shallowly pitted surfaces, or worn biting areas in their teeth. Other indications for the procedure are one or more teeth out of proportion in size to the rest of the set, such as large, pointy canine teeth. Re-shaping can only occur on healthy teeth, so x-rays are often taken before the procedure is done to check for problems.
If you have questions about aesthetic tooth contouring, please contact the team at Fischl Dental Associates for more information.
Does Tooth Contouring Hurt?
The process of tooth contouring is completely non-invasive. The procedure involves using a special dental polishing instrument to gently remove thin layers of enamel from your teeth and correct minor cosmetic imperfections.
Typically, there is no need for any numbing or sedation during the procedure, because this tool only removes very thin layers of enamel. Your tooth will stay intact, and you won’t experience any pain or discomfort.
What Can I Expect During A Contouring & Reshaping Procedure?
First, your mouth will be examined by Dr. Paul Fischl or Dr. Marie Bradley Fischl to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. You must be free of any major oral health issues like cavities and infected teeth to be a candidate for contouring and reshaping. If you have serious oral health problems, these must be treated before you can get tooth contouring and reshaping.
Typically, you will be a good candidate for contouring and reshaping if you have minor problems with your teeth, such as a very minor chip, worn and uneven tooth edges, shallow grooves, or pits in the enamel. Contouring and reshaping can be used to correct most of these minor issues by buffing away imperfections from your teeth.
Once you’ve been approved for treatment, the treatment process will begin. As mentioned previously, you do not need to be numbed or sedated during the contouring and reshaping procedure, so it can begin as soon as your teeth have been cleaned.
Your dentist at Fischl Dental Associates will use a special polishing tool to treat each imperfection in your teeth. Very thin layers of enamel will be removed to eliminate imperfections with your teeth and restore your smile. The process usually takes only a few minutes for each problem area, and you’ll have a bright, beautiful smile within a single appointment.
Additionally, you may choose to also get treatment with dental bonding, since this is often combined with shaping and contouring. Bonding uses dental resin to add more structure to your teeth, and correct issues like larger chips, gaps between your teeth, stained teeth, and more. Combined with tooth contouring, dental bonding can help you completely transform your smile.
Can This Procedure Change The Surface Texture Of My Teeth?
Yes. Tooth contouring is commonly used to improve the surface texture of the teeth, as long as you have minimal issues. If your teeth are pitted, for example, your dentist at Fischl Dental Associates will be able to smooth them out and restore their natural texture.
However, if you have deeper pitting and more serious texture issues with your tooth, tooth contouring is not practical, since it would require the removal of a lot of enamel. An alternative treatment like dental bonding, dental veneers, or a dental crown may be required instead.
To learn more and see if tooth contouring is right for you, contact us online or call us at (847)448-1684 for an appointment.