Let’s “face” it. Your smile is essential. It tells the world when you’re happy but can convey so much more. In fact, did you know that Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles?” In Thailand, a smile can convey so much more than just happiness. Here in the United States, we usually only smile when pleased, but if your smile doesn’t quite look how you want it to, you may struggle to smile. Not smiling can make you seem unfriendly, sad, or even mean, even if you’re in a good mood. Thankfully, there are options for those who don’t like their smile. From professional whitening to braces and veneers, there are myriad options for improving your smile. But while these options are great, they may not be affordable for every patient.
Those with chipped or uneven teeth may think the only solution is veneers, which can be expensive. But thankfully, that’s not true. Another solution you may have yet to consider is dental contouring or enameloplasty. Dental contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure that removes small amounts of tooth enamel to improve your teeth’s shape, length, or surface, creating a more balanced and beautiful smile.
Here are a few benefits of dental contouring you may have yet to consider.
If you have uneven teeth, minor chips, or irregularly shaped teeth, tooth reshaping can remove uneven enamel and create a more balanced-looking smile.
2. Instant Results
With dental contouring, you can usually complete your procedure in one dental visit instead of multiple visits. You will also notice the results of your dental contouring immediately.
3. Minimally Invasive
Because dental contouring only removes a minimal amount of enamel from the teeth, it is minimally invasive and usually does not require anesthesia.
4. No Recovery or Downtime
Because dental contouring is a non-invasive procedure, there is usually no downtime following it. Once it is complete, you can immediately return to your regular schedule and activities, including eating, driving, and exercising.
5. Cost-Effective
Unlike veneers or crowns, tooth reshaping is generally more affordable and delivers as beautiful results as its costlier counterparts.
6. Compatible With Other Cosmetic Treatments
Dental contouring is easily combined with other treatments, including orthodontics, dental bonding and teeth whitening, to enhance your new look.
Consultation
Before you schedule your procedure, you will meet with your dentist at Breathe Modern Dentistry and discuss the benefits, cost, and desired shape of your teeth. We will also review your goals and expectations and evaluate your oral health to ensure you are a good candidate for dental contouring.
X-Rays
In some cases, we may take X-rays of your teeth to ensure your underlying tooth structure is healthy and there are no issues that could damage your teeth or harm you during your dental contouring procedure.
Treatment Plan
We will develop a treatment plan once we have determined that you are a good candidate for dental contouring. This plan will go over which teeth we will reshape and what shape the teeth will be adjusted to. We will also go over the cost at this time.
Enamel Removal
Once you are ready to undergo your dental contouring procedure, your dentist will use a drill or laser to remove minuscule amounts of enamel from the chosen teeth. This is totally safe and usually painless, and it is done very slowly and delicately so there is no damage to the teeth.
Smoothing and Polishing
Once your enamel has been removed, your dentist will smooth and polish the affected teeth to look natural and even.
Follow-Up
In some cases, you may be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that you are satisfied with the results of your dental contouring and that your teeth and gums are in good health.
It’s important to understand that dental contouring is not for everyone and can only correct minor cosmetic flaws. If you have more significant cosmetic issues, you may be referred to more intensive treatments such as veneers or crowns to fix those issues. Your dentist will help you decide the best options for your individual smile at your consultation.
To schedule a consultation to discuss dental contouring, please contact Breathe Modern Dentistry today!