Minor Tweaks & Tooth Reshaping
Dental contouring or enameloplasty might sound like a scary or painful procedure. Still, it’s relatively simple and painless, taking at least thirty minutes to reshape your smile and improve small imperfections. So whether you have some teeth longer than others or minor chips, tooth contouring might be the inexpensive treatment solution.
Tooth contouring facts
- Typically, it takes 30 minutes
- The enamel is reshaped, not the tooth
- No anaesthetic is required
- Small drills or lasers alter the enamel’s shape or length
Our cosmetic dentists mostly recommend tooth contouring to address minor cosmetic concerns rather than more complex dental issues that require more significant changes to the tooth structure. You want to make minor adjustments with tooth contouring as the enamel is being reshaped, not the tooth – to make larger changes to the tooth, you’ll want to opt for veneers instead.
As tooth contouring can weaken the teeth, it’s better to opt for other tooth reshaping treatments for bigger alterations.
Are you suitable for the procedure?
Your suitability for the procedure and the success of tooth contouring will ultimately depend on the factors like the thickness of your enamel and the overall health of the teeth and gums.
Before committing to the procedure, a through consultation with a cosmetic dentist, which will consist of an evaluation of your oral health will be essential in determining whether tooth contouring is the appropriate treatment choice to achieve your desired results.
Your initial consultation will also take x-rays or other imaging techniques to assess the underlying tooth structure and identify any potential issues that might impact the contouring process.
What tooth contouring is for
- Alter the shape, length or surface of the tooth.
- Correct minor imperfections and improve the appearance of teeth.
- Adjust the length of teeth that appear longer or shorter than adjacent teeth.
- To create a more even, balanced smile.
- Smooth out rough, jagged or irregular edges to wear and tear.
- Reshape chips or fractures to restore symmetry to your smile.
- Reshape pointed or overlapping teeth to create a more even smile line.
- Correct natural pits or grooves on the surface of teeth that can trap bacteria.
- Fix mild crowding or overlapping teeth to improve bite alignment.
The dental contouring procedure
The procedure works to improve the teeth by reshaping and recontouring the enamel.
Following from your consultation, where we would have made a plan that outlined the specific areas of the teeth that require reshaping and the extent of enamel which needs to be removed, we’ll begin using special dental instruments like sanding disks and fine diamond burs that gently removes small amounts of enamel from the surface of the teeth.
The procedure is often completed without the need for anaesthesia, however, in some cases some local anaesthetic will be given to ensure a comfortable procedure.
Once the right level of contouring has been achieved, the cosmetic dentist will smooth and polish the treated teeth to create a natural-looking finish – this part of the process eliminates any rough edges or uneven surfaces and enhances the tooth’s structure.
Post-procedure instructions typically involve maintaining optimal oral hygiene and routine check-ups and cleans are essential for monitoring the long-term results.
How much does tooth contouring cost?
The cost of tooth contouring can vary depending on the type of and number of teeth that need reshaping, or the extend of reshaping required. Generally, in the UK, the costs for this procedure can vary from £100 to £300 and at our clinic, patients should expect costs to begin from £300 per tooth.
Available on 0% dental finances, patients can spread the cost of their treatment over 24 months with no additional cost of credit and without placing a deposit.
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