Teeth Reshaping

Also known as odontoplasty, tooth reshaping is a conservative, fast, and painless procedure. It effectively improves the appearance of the tooth and overall dental health.

Tooth reshaping involves removing a portion of the tooth enamel using a laser or drill to change the length, shape, or surface of the tooth.

Tooth reshaping is often done along with bonding which uses tooth-colored materials to shape the tooth.

How is Tooth Reshaping Done?

Before undergoing tooth reshaping, a dental X-ray will be taken to check the size and location of the pulp and ensure the health of the tooth.

If the enamel is too thin or the pulp is too close to the surface, the cosmetic dental procedure may not be done. Also, careful consideration must be observed before subscribing to the procedure as the enamel is irreplaceable.

Following an X-ray, the dentist will mark the tooth using a pen, highlighting the areas in need of sculpting. A diamond bur can help remove a bit of the enamel and eliminate or minimize the imperfections on the tooth.

For flaws between the teeth and to shape and smooth the sides of the tooth, a sandpaper-like strip may also be utilized.

Following the procedure, your tooth or teeth will receive a polish and smoothing for the final touches. If the reshaping doesn't require another cosmetic procedure, no special care or follow-up appointment is necessary unless an issue arises following it.

Tooth reshaping is also not suitable for people with decayed teeth, infected pulps, or unhealthy gums.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Tooth Reshaping?

Like any other treatment, tooth reshaping has its advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial to be aware and weigh down the pros and cons of the procedure before subscribing to it.

Here are some of the advantages of tooth reshaping:

The advantages of tooth reshaping include less cost, painless procedure, improvement of oral health, and can substitute expensive dental treatments.

• Tooth reshaping is inexpensive, costing about 50 US Dollars to 300 US Dollars per month depending on the amount of work necessary. A reshaping of a chipped or broken tooth due to an accident or trauma may be covered partially or entirely by your insurance or discount plan. Ask your insurance provider for more information.
• As mentioned above, the cosmetic dental treatment is a quick and painless procedure. In fact, it only involves the removal of the enamel. It requires no anesthesia and will generally cause no discomfort.
• Tooth reshaping also improves oral health as it removes tartar and plaque that may have build up. Thus, this lowers the risk of dental problems like tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• The treatment can substitute expensive procedures like dental braces as tooth reshaping eliminates minor overlapping, misalignment, and makes the teeth appear straighter. However, this may only be true with minor imperfections.

With the advantages come the disadvantages of tooth reshaping which include little alteration and sensitivity.

• Tooth reshaping may be quick and painless. But it also offers less dramatic changes than other cosmetic treatments. The procedure only eliminates minor imperfections. For significant enhancements, you might want to consider getting dental veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, or dental bridges.
• Because of the removal of the tooth enamel, the outer layer may thin, and the dentin may expose. The exposure of the dentin can lead to tooth sensitivity.