Dental Reshaping And Contouring: What You Need To Know
Healthy teeth can play a big role in your confidence, and many aren't blessed with a naturally perfect set. Cosmetic dental procedures grow increasingly popular, with Americans spending 2.75 billion dollars on cosmetic treatments each year, as people look for ways to improve the appearance of their pearly whites.
You might be looking to fix overlapping teeth, irregular shaped teeth, or small chips. Dental reshaping and contouring is something you might be considering, especially if you have some minor defects in your teeth that you want to fix with immediate results.
What Is Dental Reshaping and Contouring?
Dental reshaping is also commonly referred to as dental contouring. It's a procedure that is often used to fix issues many people have with their teeth, ranging from small chips to crooked or overlapping teeth and it can usually be done within a single session. The changes made in dental reshaping and contouring are often immediate and subtle.
A thin layer of enamel from your teeth is removed using dental instruments in order to polish away chips, make room for overlapping teeth, or help in fixing teeth that you find extra pointy or too flat.
What Is The Procedure Like?
Before going ahead with dental reshaping and contouring, you'll need to have X-rays done in order to ensure your teeth are healthy enough for the procedure. If your teeth are in good shape, your dentist will then mark any imperfections and highlight whatever areas may need sculpting.
The actual procedure involves removing small amounts of enamel to help alter your tooth's shape, length, or surface. Anesthetic is usually not required because only a thin layer of enamel is being stripped away from the surface of your teeth. However, you'll probably feel vibrations from the drill as your teeth are being sculpted and polished.
Using air abrasion techniques, dental instruments, and bonding, your dentist will work to eliminate or minimize imperfections on the surface of your teeth by using a sanding drill or lase. Strips that resemble sandpaper are used to help contour the sides of your teeth. A coating is then applied afterward to provide a better, smooth finishing.
What Are The Pros To Dental Reshaping and Contouring?
Because your dentist is removing small amounts of enamel, the procedure can be very quick, painless, and inexpensive. The results will be immediate, and it can all usually be done within one session. It can also help to improve the health of your teeth. By removing minor overlaps and any other imperfections, you reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and tartar and plaque buildup.
What Are the Cons To Dental Reshaping And Contouring?
If you have too much enamel stripped away from the surface of your teeth, you run the risk of tooth breakage and decay. If one of your biggest problems was with your teeth becoming uneven due to grinding your teeth and you leave that issue unresolved, the unevenness will reoccur after having dental reshaping done.
Are You A Good Candidate?
The ideal candidate for dental reshaping and contouring has healthy teeth, so be sure you have the condition of your teeth checked before going ahead with the procedure. Keep in mind that the condition of your teeth will dictate what cosmetic dentistry procedures are best and available to you. Any questions you have should be discussed with your dentist. Consider asking things like what type of maintenance is required, and what you can expect throughout the course of treatment.
Dental reshaping and contouring is a great option for you if you have minor imperfections you're looking to fix, like overcrowded teeth or chips and fractures. A little dental reshaping and contouring can make a big difference. However, if you have unhealthy gums, decaying teeth or root canals, dental reshaping probably wouldn't be the right procedure for you.
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