| Services -
Cosmetic Dentistry: Contouring & Reshaping |
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| Tooth reshaping, or contouring, is one of few
instant treatments now available in cosmetic
dentistry. Dental reshaping and contouring is a
procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth,
cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one
session. |
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| The dental contouring procedure can even be a
substitute for braces under certain circumstances.
It is also a procedure of subtle changes. A few
millimeters of reduction and a few millimeters of
tooth-colored laminate can create a beautiful smile
when performed by a cosmetic dentist, with no
discomfort to you. Tooth reshaping, or dental
contouring, is commonly used to alter the length,
shape or position of your teeth. |
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| Who is a candidate for tooth contouring and
reshaping? |
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| If you want your teeth to appear less crowded,
lack chips and fractures, have decreased overlaps or
to be without pits or grooves in the enamel, this
procedure should be discussed with your cosmetic
dentist. With a little dental contouring, you can
make a huge difference in the way you feel about
your smile. Good cosmetic dentistry can give you a
smile that is the envy of others. Tooth contouring
by a cosmetic dentist does require that you have
normal, healthy teeth. |
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| Tooth reshaping, or tooth sculpting, is a safe
and conservative way to improve your smile. Teeth
may become weaker if large amounts of enamel are
removed, tooth reshaping should be limited to minor
changes or combined with veneers or bonding for the
best smile. |
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| Overview of tooth contouring and reshaping |
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| Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure
to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked
teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one session.
This procedure is even a substitute for braces under
certain circumstances. This is also a procedure of
subtle changes. A few millimeters of reduction and a
few millimeters of tooth-colored can create a
beautiful smile when performed by a cosmetic
dentist, with no discomfort to you. Tooth reshaping,
or dental contouring, is commonly used to alter the
length, shape or position of your teeth. |
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| How is tooth contouring and reshaping
accomplished? |
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| Preparation for dental contouring and reshaping
is a team effort with your cosmetic dentist. Some
dentists in cosmetic dentistry even use computer
imaging to show you how you will look after the
procedure. |
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| Your cosmetic dentist will take x-rays to
evaluate the size and location of the pulp of each
tooth to ensure that there's enough bone between the
teeth to support them. |
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| The cosmetic dentist will mark your teeth with a
pencil prior to performing the procedure. This helps
the cosmetic dentist in their sculpting process. As
your cosmetic dentist sculpts the tooth,
imperfections are artfully eliminating or minimized.
A sanding drill or laser may be used to remove small
amounts of surface enamel gradually. Abrasive strips
are then moved back and forth between your teeth to
shape the actual sides of your teeth. Then the teeth
are smoothed and polished. Usually anesthetic is not
needed. Teeth contouring and reshaping usually takes
one to three visits. |
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| Contouring teeth may also help correct small
problems with bite. It is common for bonding to be
combined with tooth reshaping to achieve a beautiful
smile. |
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| Types of Tooth Contouring and Reshaping
Procedures |
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| There are actually several ways to change the
appearance of your teeth. Many times these various
procedures are combined in different ways to deliver
that smile of your dreams. |
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| Tooth Contouring and
Reshaping |
| The reshaping of a your teeth is a procedure
that involves the removal of a very small amount of
tooth structure to help achieve a more desirable
smile. Chipped or fractured areas are smoothed out
and specific angles or edges can be rounded or
squared. Contouring creates better alignment and can
create a more feminine or masculine smile. |
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| It is sometimes done to prevent chipped areas
from getting worse. Tooth reshaping is a
conservative way to improve the teeth. Since teeth
can become weaker if large amounts of enamel are
removed, this procedure is limited to minor changes
or combined with veneers or bonding for a terrific
smile. |
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| Dental Veneers |
| Veneers are sometimes used in conjunction with
contouring. Dental veneers are very thin pieces of
specially-shaped porcelain or plastic that are glued
over the front of your teeth with little or no
anesthesia needed. They are the cure for teeth that
are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes
or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction
of unwanted or uneven spaces. Unlike crowns, veneers
won't require the dentist to remove much of the
tooth itself. Veneers are created from an impression
taken in your cosmetic dentist's office. Your custom
veneer is then glued directly onto your tooth. |
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| Tooth Bonding |
| Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws
applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the
front surface of your teeth. After this, your
cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material
sculpt, color and shape it to provide a pleasing
result. A high-intensity light then hardens the
plastic, and the surface is finely polished. This
procedure often accompanies contouring and teeth
reshaping procedures. |
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| Advantages & Disadvantages of Tooth
Contouring & Reshaping |
| Pros and Cons of a tooth contouring and
reshaping |
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| Advantages: |
| Your dentist can remove only a small amount of
tooth enamel, contouring your problem tooth into a
more pleasing shape for an improved smile. The tooth
contouring procedure is quick, simple, painless, and
inexpensive. |
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| Disadvantages: |
| There are limits. You may be at risk for tooth
breakage and decay if too much enamel is removed
your teeth. If your teeth were uneven because you
grind them, they'll become uneven again until the
grinding issue is resolved. Your dental insurance is
likely to cover tooth contouring and reshaping only
if it is needed as a result of an accident. |
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