Do you have small defects in your teeth that you’d like to eliminate? Visiting your dentist for tooth reshaping, also called dental recontouring, could help! This is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that makes subtle changes to the teeth. Esthetic recontouring involves altering the tooth’s size, length, shape, and surface. It is considered the most conservative cosmetic treatment available and is designed to make your teeth look even and beautiful.
The treatment is minimally invasive, and it often does not require an anesthetic injection. The procedure is short and usually completed in one visit. Tooth contouring treatments can provide solutions by creating more harmony and balance to your smile.
Uses for aesthetic re-contouring include:
- Correcting uneven front teeth
- Adjusting the length of the canines
- Smoothing out grooves, pits, or chips in tooth enamel
- Correcting minor overcrowding problems
- Shorten teeth that appear too long
Aside from these cosmetic effects, shaping can remove minor crevices (chips and other flaws) or overlaps (crowded teeth) where harmful plaque and tartar can accumulate.
The Procedure
The dentist gently and artfully removes a small amount of the tooth’s enamel by using specialty tools. Once the tooth is shaped properly, the process is finished off with polishing. Dental X-rays taken before the reshaping and contouring begins ensure your teeth are healthy. Cosmetic recontouring provides instant results, and it is permanent, so you will not need the have the procedure redone in the future. It is generally an inexpensive way to improve the look of your teeth.
Every patient has different circumstances, and if your teeth have substantial imperfections, such as a large chip or a deep fracture, a more complex treatment is needed. It is also not appropriate for people with decaying teeth, root canals, or unhealthy gums.
Note that the changes are subtle and not dramatic. Recontouring is not a substitute for veneers or bonding, but it can be used in conjunction with these treatments. Veneers can cover the entire front tooth surface of the teeth, giving them a completely new look.
Tooth reshaping and re-contouring works best for people who need small adjustments or repairs to improve the look and feel of their teeth. If you are unhappy with your smile, aesthetic re-contouring may be just what you need. Contact Lundstrom Family Dentistry in Fargo for an initial consultation with Dr. Lundstrom to explore the treatment options available to you.