Tooth contouring

For those who have problem teeth, Tooth contouring (also known as tooth reshaping or sculpting) can help to reshape or completely change their appearance. Tooth contouring is a highly effective cosmetic treatment which can safely be used to dramatically change the appearance of your teeth. The procedure is fast and relatively painless, for some patients it can be used to adjust teeth in place of braces. The best candidates for tooth contouring have some form of dental issue such as cracked teeth, teeth that overlap or are crooked, chipped teeth or fractured teeth. How suitable the treatment is for you largely depends on the health of your teeth, this determines how much bone and tissue support your teeth are able to give. Your teeth must also be quite strong, especially if there is a large amount of enamel to be removed. Contouring can provide an easy fix for problems like cracks, chipping and overlapping. It often only takes a couple of milimetres of reshaping combined with a tiny amount of bonding material to make significant changes.

The Procedure

Before undergoing the treatment you'll need to have a thorough examination where X-rays will be taken in order to find how stong your bone, teeth and tissue are. Some clinics also offer a computer generated imaging process which will show you how your teeth will appear following treatment. Tooth contouring is usually performed under no anaesthetics for many cases however a general anaesthetic may be used for particularly nervous patients. If your teeth and bone are suitable for the treatment then your dentist will begin by marking your teeth with a special pen to highlight the areas which need contouring. There's a variety of surgical tools which can be used for sculpting such as lasers, drills and abrasive strips. Bonding materials are often used in order to cover blemishes on the tooth, cover any chips and cracks or alter the tooth's colour. After the contouring is done the tooth is smoothed and polished. Your dentist may advise that you undergo other procedures as a compliment to the contouring treatment such as composite bonding and veneers to help give your teeth a more natural look.

The Risks

Although the vast majority of contouring procedures are carried out safely, there are some risks involved. Removal of too much enamel can lead to a greater risk of your teeth breaking, decay occurring or the problem reoccurring if it's due to teeth grinding. Over contouring has also led to teeth becoming increasingly sensitive in certain cases.