What is tooth contouring?
Everybody wants a perfect smile! If you’re displeased with the shade of your teeth, you can have them whitened. If your teeth are crooked, you can get braces. But what do you do if your teeth are in an odd shape, or have small chips in them? The simple solution to it is tooth contouring!
What is tooth contouring?
Tooth contouring is an easy procedure that dentists use to adjust the shape of a person’s teeth. Your dentist will take some x-rays to see where the pulp is and then work with either a laser or a drill. Misshapen areas will be trimmed, teeth that are too long or badly shaped will be adjusted, and then everything is smoothed out and polished.
It can cost anywhere from $50-300 per tooth and may only require one 30-minute dentist appointment. And if the defects are due to an injury or accident, your insurance may cover some of the cost!
Another possible component of contouring is bonding. This is when the resin is applied to the tooth to fill in any chips or gaps, to add shape, or to improve the color. The tooth is etched so that the resin adheres properly. Your dentist may use a special conditioning liquid that helps the resin stick better, and then a light is shined on the resin to cure it. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
What are the benefits of tooth contouring?
Although it’s a cosmetic procedure, there are some dental health benefits from having your teeth contoured, chief among them being the cost. Contouring is much cheaper than braces! In some cases, contouring may eliminate the need for braces since it makes teeth look straighter and removes any overlaps.
Another perk of contouring is that it’s painless. Since all that is being removed is enamel, there’s typically no pain, which means no anesthesia is necessary! Tooth contouring also removes places where teeth overlap and other slight imperfections that ordinarily allow for plaque buildup, which lowers the risk for gum disease and tooth decay.
These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg since tooth contouring opens you up to many benefits such as:
- Enhances your appearance by modifying your teeth’s size or shape.
- Fixes the alignment or any cracks or chips in the teeth
- Enables easy cleaning of spaces in the teeth
- The entire process takes less than 60 minutes
- Simple and painless process
- A permanent procedure that does not need a further treatment
- Improves the issues that are due to the grinding teeth
- You don’t have to visit the doctor again and again since it is a one-time procedure
Are there any cons to contouring?
The biggest risk with contouring is weakened teeth. Since enamel is removed, reshaped teeth have higher chances of chip or staining. A vital recommendation is that you don’t chew on fingernails or pens, eat hard food, or open packages with your teeth to preserve your repairs.
Moreover, not everyone should go for this procedure since it only helps fix small imperfections with your teeth. Besides that, there is nothing more to worry about, but you can consult doctors regarding it for any questions.
Contact a Dentist today for Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring is a great way to ensure teeth in odd shapes or include a small chip in them can get into the right shape. With the right dental services, you can know about the steps before and after tooth contouring.
Therefore, Tim Chauvin, DDS & Associates, offers you high-quality services to patients in the vicinity of Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (337) 234-2186 or book an appointment to enjoy a beautiful smile after tooth contouring.
