Tooth Contouring

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Often there are defects in your teeth that can be noticeable when you smile or show your teeth.  These can take many forms but the main problems include damaged teeth, those of a different size or shape or general disfigurement.  These problems are normally not a functional issue, but might knock your confidence in your appearance.  As such tooth contouring is generally acknowledged as a cosmetic procedure. 

Tooth Contouring Benefits

• Can help with oral hygiene, allowing better reach of brushing or flossing
• Appearance/aesthetics, smoothing out any discrepancies within your teeth
• Repairing small issues with occlusion/bite

Tooth contouring helps to make your teeth more regular, smoothing out any problematic nicks or deformities. 

Tooth Contouring Procedure

You will have to visit your dentist for an initial consultation so that you can discuss your problems and what you wish to have done.  Your dentist will thoroughly examine you teeth and check the occlusion to decide if you can be treated with a tooth contouring procedure.  It is also possible that you will have X-rays taken to check the health of your teeth.  Your dentist might also photograph the teeth so that you can see the difference after the procedure.  During the procedure your dentist will start by removing very small parts of the enamel of your tooth, and uses this to re-mould parts of your tooth.  This will make your tooth fit in better with the rest of your teeth.  The tooth will be smoothed and polished using dental tools. So finishing the procedure.

Tooth contouring usually takes about half an hour to complete, depending on the number of teeth being treated and the nature of the problem. You will not need any painkillers or numbing procedures during tooth contouring.  Only the enamel is affected and this cannot hurt you as it isn’t near the nerves or dental pulp. 

Tooth Contouring Results

Tooth contouring can help to make eliminate small chips, slight tooth overlapping, pockmarks on the enamels’ surface, worn down teeth or to change the shape of irregular looking teeth.  Once completed there is usually no need for any follow up treatments.There is a chance of the tooth being weakened through this process.  Sometimes your dentist might remove too much of the enamel, leading to a higher chance of cavity or chipping.  This is rare, however, and an experienced cosmetic dentist is very unlikely to do this. 

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