What you should know about dental recontouring
Dental recontouring is a procedure that reshapes the tooth by removing small amounts of tooth enamel to change the size, length, surface of a tooth. The procedure is usually done to correct a problem or for cosmetic purposes. Recontouring can improve the appearance of teeth by reshaping teeth to look straight and balance. To correct a patient’s bite, contouring can be done to fix misaligned teeth. A dentist will perform a thorough examination before recommending dental recontouring, whether for cosmetic or restorative procedures. Recontouring is only recommended if a patient’s tooth has a sufficient amount of enamel.
Recontouring is used for corrective purposes.
Recontouring is an effective method to correct minor dental bite problems without costing a lot of money. Reshaping teeth is a common orthodontic technique to reshape a tooth’s position, shape, and vertical length. Recontouring can adjust slight irregular tooth shapes or uneven teeth. An example of this is altering the length of the canine tooth or the pointed teeth or smoothing out small chips. Smoothing out these tiny or minor chips can help prevent the tooth from cracking if the bite becomes uneven.
Recontouring is used for cosmetic purposes.
Teeth that have been damaged or have minor imperfection can be unpleasing to some patients. Recontouring can be used to restore or improve physical aesthetics. For instance, small chips may be removed after contouring. For a smooth and shiny surface, the grooves or pits can be polished out. This can take the place of other cosmetic procedures, such as veneers or bonding, to improve physical appearances. Dental recontouring costs are much less than other cosmetic dental procedures.
What are some possible drawbacks of dental recontouring?
Because dental recontouring removes enamel, the benefits and cons of recontouring should be carefully considered. The risk involves reducing the thickness of the enamel. If too much enamel is removed, the thin enamel surfaces can expose the dentin layer. Exposed dentin can cause increased tooth sensitivity to foods, heat, and cold. Tooth sensitivity can be excruciating. The tooth may be more at risk for developing cavities since the protective enamel is thin.
What to expect during a dental recontouring procedure.
At your recontouring appointment, your dentist will use a sanding disc to reshape the tooth by removing the enamel. To get between the tooth or difficult spots, the dentist will use strips of sandpaper to file down and smooth the sides. Once shaped, your dentist will finish the process by polishing your tooth or teeth to restore the shine.
If you are considering dental recontouring, schedule your next appoint at (800) 407-0161 with California Dental Group to make your next appointment.
