Tooth Contouring: A Painless Way To Enhance Your Smile

Tooth contouring is the process of reshaping your teeth to correct minor dental issues. Cosmetic concerns addressed may include slightly misshapen teeth, overly long teeth, minor crowding or small chips along the edge of the teeth. The procedure involves removing very small amounts of tooth enamel to create a more attractive tooth surface or shape. Enamel is similar to nails and can be reduced without harming the health of the tooth. In each case, a comprehensive exam is performed to make sure we can safely remove the tooth structure.

How Tooth Contouring Works

Before the procedure, your dentist will take x-rays to evaluate the size and the integrity of your enamel, the protective layer of your teeth. If you are a good candidate, your dentist will start the treatment by gently removing a small amount of enamel from the affected teeth with a laser or drill.

Using specialized tools, your dentist can trim misshaped areas, shorten excessively long teeth and even out poorly shaped teeth for proper bite alignment. Fractures or chips can be smoothed, edges can be rounded or squared off and teeth can be shaped or smoothed on the sides. After each tooth has been sculpted to its desired shape, your dentist will polish your teeth to create a natural-looking finish.

Benefits of Dental Contouring

Dental contouring is a simple cosmetic procedure that can have a big impact on your smile. Here are some of the benefits of reshaping your teeth:

• Improved appearance: With dental contouring, minor imperfections can be repaired to create a picture-perfect smile. As a result, you’ll also feel more confident with your new and improved teeth.
• Improve tooth health and function: In some cases, contouring can solve dental issues such as rough edges caused by teeth grinding. It can also correct minor overlapping of teeth to reduce decay and make cleaning teeth easier.
• Quick and painless: Dental contouring is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that can create a flawless smile in just one visit without the use of anesthesia. It is considered one of the most conservative cosmetic dental treatments because it is quick and painless — and can provide instant results!

Candidates for Dental Contouring

Tooth reshaping and dental contouring are best for people who need minor adjustments or repairs to improve the look and feel of their teeth. If you have more serious issues such as crooked, crowded or very misshapen teeth, you may benefit from a different procedure, such as dental bonding, veneers, crowns or orthodontics.

A good candidate for tooth contouring should have healthy gums and enamel. If your gums are infected, if you have thin enamel or if your teeth are decayed, you may not be a good candidate for dental contouring.

The best way to learn if tooth reshaping is right for you is to schedule a visit with an experienced and qualified dentist. At McLean DDS, we offer tooth contouring as well as a range of other cosmetic dental treatments, and we're here to help you achieve the perfect smile that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how dental contouring can improve your smile.