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Contouring and Reshaping - What is Dental Contouring and Reshaping?

Dental contouring and reshaping of teeth is a cosmetic procedure used to change the shape or size of teeth, to improve a patient’s smile. Reshaping and contouring can address problems like chipped or slightly damaged teeth, overlapping teeth and crooked teeth.

Why Contouring or Reshaping of Teeth?

For some patients, having a perfect smile is the key to their success or their self image. A small chip or break in a tooth can be extremely damaging. Contouring or reshaping allows a cosmetic dentist to repair these small imperfections to teeth, while maintaining the integrity of a patient’s natural smile. Additionally, in some cases, small adjustments to the shape of teeth can eliminate the need for more extensive and time consuming procedures such as braces.

Under the best of circumstances, a patient should have normal, healthy teeth and may choose to use contouring and reshaping in combination with application of veneers or bonding, particularly if the procedure requires large amounts of enamel removal, since this will weaken teeth.

Types of Dental Contouring or Reshaping

Contouring and Reshaping ‚- this type of procedure involves removing small portions of tooth enamel or adding tooth-colored material to reshape the size and shape of the tooth. The surface of the tooth is polished and sanded until the teeth appear uniform in shape and size.

Veneers ‚- veneers are often used with contouring and reshaping of teeth. Small amounts of porcelain or plastic are bonded to the front of teeth to make them appear uniform. Veneers are an excellent choice when teeth are discolored , poorly shaped, or have large pits or gaps. Veneers should not require removal of large amounts of the natural tooth.

Bonding ‚- bonding is the placement of a thin layer of coating material over the surface of the teeth. The teeth are then sculpted and shaped by the cosmetic dentist until the smile is uniform and even. After the surface is hardened by a high intensity light, the bonded teeth are polished.

Contouring and Reshaping Procedure

Teeth contouring and reshaping can be done in a cosmetic dentist's office and usually with one visit. Rarely is any anesthetic needed. At the initial consultation, the dentist will take x-rays and evaluate the suitability of the teeth for the procedure. If the teeth are strong enough, then the dentist will most likely take a ‚-before‚- photograph to use for comparison when the contouring or reshaping is finished.

The dentist will slowly and carefully polish the teeth, removing small amounts of tooth or adding small amounts of tooth-colored material to perfect the shape and size of the teeth. The edges and surface of the newly shaped teeth are carefully polished to make them uniform in size and appearance.

Once the procedure is complete, the dentist will take an ‚”after‚” photograph to compare to the ‚”before‚” photograph.

Summary

Dental reshaping and contouring of teeth is a cosmetic procedure that enhances a patient’s smile and improves problems with chipped, pitted, misaligned or discolored teeth . Most often, reshaping and contouring can be done in a cosmetic dentist’s office in one visit and may be combined with placement of veneers or dental bonding. The end result is a brilliant, bright smile with uniform and even teeth.