If there’s one thing you probably don’t want to do, it’s get dental advice from TikTok. The trendy app is packed with dangerous dental recommendations, from “healthy” soda mixes of sparkling water and balsamic vinegar to at-home whitening with hydrogen peroxide. The worst trend of all, in our opinion, was the DIY tooth reshaping fad from a few years back.
We get it: tooth reshaping seems like a quick and easy way to change the look of your smile. Grabbing a nail file is the best way to shave down your long canines or strip away part of that crooked tooth you hate, right?
Not so fast! Tooth reshaping is a permanent procedure best left in the hands of an expert. Professional tooth reshaping is a safe, effective way to deal with minor cosmetic issues and polish your smile.
If you’re not sure what this treatment is or why you’d need an expert’s help, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about tooth reshaping.
It’s all in the name! Tooth reshaping is a procedure in which your dentist changes the look of one or more of your teeth. You’ll also hear this procedure called “odontoplasty” or “tooth contouring.”
Tooth reshaping is a simple way to address a tooth that’s uneven, crooked, misaligned, or chipped. It can even help with minor cracks, provided the fracture hasn’t gone deeper than the enamel. In some cases, tooth reshaping may help with overlapping or crowded teeth, negating the need for braces or a retainer.
For many patients, tooth reshaping can help them get the smile of their dreams, even if no tooth damage has occurred. A dentist can help lengthen short-looking teeth or reduce the size of a tooth you think is too large.
The difference in before-and-after photos is often minor, as the change in size is often less than a millimeter. However, that tiny change can create a beautiful smile!
As a cosmetic procedure, tooth reshaping is quick, convenient, and affordable.
Tooth reshaping isn’t right for everyone. How do you know if you’re a good candidate?
In general, you’ll only be able to seek tooth reshaping if you have good oral health. If you have underlying issues like tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist may recommend treating these conditions first.
Tooth reshaping is not a good idea for patients who need help with major dental issues. If your teeth are severely misaligned, for example, dental braces may be the better option. If you’re dealing with a fracture that has exposed the inner pulp of your tooth, reshaping won’t be enough.
Instead, you should seek this type of dental care for minor cosmetic changes.
Small chips, hairline fractures, and pitted tooth enamel are common issues that tooth reshaping can fix. Patients often seek tooth reshaping to reduce the look of long or pointed teeth, especially their canines.
This procedure can also address minor overlapping between teeth or an uneven smile, as shaving away a bit of the tooth can create a more polished, aligned look. Tooth reshaping may even help with minor bite issues.
Unlike more in-depth cosmetic dental procedures, tooth reshaping is fast and easy.
The entire procedure happens right in your dentist’s office; there’s no need to visit a specialist. In most cases, you’ll start with a quick consultation to discuss what you’d like to change about your smile.
Your dentist may do a quick oral exam, often with X-rays, to confirm that your tooth and gum health will support this procedure. They will also inspect your enamel’s structure and condition, as tooth reshaping isn’t always possible with thin or weak enamel. Depending on your health and goals, they’ll help you manage your expectations and decide whether tooth reshaping is the right procedure for you.
Once you’re both on the same page, your dentist will begin the procedure using a laser, drill, sanding disc, or fine diamond bur. They will use their tool of choice to shave off thin layers of your enamel. This helps them adjust your tooth shape as desired, and the process is painless.
If you’re hoping to lengthen or enlarge one or more of your teeth, your dentist can also add a tooth-colored bonding resin. This is a special putty-like substance that sticks to your teeth, though your dentist can harden it to make it durable.
Contouring this resin while it’s soft allows your dentist to add volume to the look of your teeth. Bonding resin is an absolute must if you’re dealing with a chipped or fractured tooth, as it helps your dentist fill in any unwanted gaps. Once your dentist is done, they’ll shine a special light on the resin for 30-60 minutes until it hardens.
Last, your dentist will polish your reshaped teeth. This removes any discoloration and can give your teeth a glossy look to match the rest of your smile.
Often, you’ll need to plan for downtime after a cosmetic dentistry procedure. That’s not the case with tooth reshaping!
This procedure only deals with your tooth enamel. Though your dentist will strip the enamel away, both the process and its aftermath should be painless. This is because only the inner pulp contains your tooth’s nerves, not the outer enamel.
In other words, you don’t need to prepare for swelling, inflammation, or soreness like you would with other procedures. Some patients experience mild sensitivity for a day or two after their tooth reshaping, but it should go away on its own.
You don’t need to make any changes to your usual dental hygiene regimen, either. Keep brushing and flossing as usual, and make sure to see a dentist once every six months.
However, it’s a good idea to guard against future chips and cracks. Bonding resin is durable, but it isn’t as durable as your natural enamel. This means there’s a greater risk of fractures.
To avoid issues with your teeth, steer clear of bad oral habits! If you’re used to crunching hard candy, biting your nails, or using your teeth as tools to rip open packages, it’s time to stop. Make sure to avoid smoking and discoloring drinks like red wine.
The cost of tooth reshaping varies. The total may depend on which dentist’s office you visit, how much you’d like to change your tooth shape, and whether you need bonding resin.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $50-300 per tooth out of pocket.
Sometimes, a patient’s insurance plan will cover tooth reshaping. However, this is most often the case when the procedure would help fix a medical issue. If you fractured or chipped a tooth, for example, you’re more likely to get coverage than if you’d simply like to shorten your front teeth.
If you’re interested in the procedure, talk to your dentist anyway! Many clinics can help you work with your insurance company and may also be able to help you estimate your total cost.
If you’re looking for a quick cosmetic fix, it’s hard to go wrong with tooth reshaping. We’ve already discussed some of the advantages, but here’s a quick rundown:
Compared with other cosmetic dentistry procedures, tooth reshaping is an affordable option. If you’re hoping to change the look of a few teeth, it may be a better choice than more in-depth and expensive treatments.
Because your dentist will be working with the enamel of your teeth, the majority of patients will feel little to no pain or sensitivity. Though you may experience higher sensitivity in the days right after your treatment, this often fades in time.
If you’re considering more extensive procedures like porcelain veneers or braces, tooth reshaping is a more conservative option that can sometimes address a root issue. If reshaping doesn’t work, your dentist might recommend moving on to other procedures.
There’s no need to take an afternoon off to recover from your procedure. Instead, you can eat and drink as usual as soon as your tooth reshaping is complete.
Compared to treatments like veneers or braces, tooth reshaping is much faster and more convenient. Often, you’ll only need a single appointment to reshape your smile!
The results of teeth reshaping are permanent. You’ll never need to come back in for follow-up care related to your contouring, though you should still come in for your regular appointments.
Like all dentistry procedures, tooth reshaping has a few drawbacks worth noting. We always recommend that patients stay informed about the risks of any procedure they’re considering.
Cosmetic dentistry procedures can be tricky where insurance is concerned. Like other treatments, tooth reshaping may not be covered under your policy if you aren’t seeking it for medical reasons. This may mean you have to pay out of pocket.
Your tooth enamel is one of the things that protects you from sensitivity. Anything that impacts your enamel’s structure, strength, or thickness can add to the sensitivity you feel when eating or drinking.
Dentists are knowledgeable and skilled in the techniques they must use for tooth reshaping, but there’s little room for error. Shaving anything off the enamel’s 2- to 3-millimeter thickness can increase your risk of hot or cold sensitivity. This is why it’s crucial to find an experienced dentist for this procedure and to never try it at home!
As we’ve mentioned above, bonding resin isn’t as strong as your enamel. As a result, you may find yourself at a higher risk of cracks or fractures, so make sure to take care of your smile!
What happens if you aren’t a good candidate for tooth reshaping? Don’t worry: there are plenty of alternative treatments that can help brighten your smile. Though your options may vary, let’s take a look at some of the most common alternatives to tooth reshaping:
Dental braces, whether you’re using metal brackets or clear aligners, are a tried-and-tested method of addressing misaligned teeth or a crooked bite. In some cases, tooth reshaping may be something worth trying alongside braces as part of a multifaceted treatment plan.
Veneers are tooth-colored coverings that mimic the look of your natural teeth. They can help cover discoloration, misshapen teeth, and damaged teeth.
During the veneer procedure, your dentist will do a bit of tooth reshaping, filing away part of your tooth’s enamel to make room for the veneer that will sit atop it.
However, veneers are a bigger investment and a more in-depth procedure than tooth reshaping. They’re ideal when you’re trying to address more damage or imperfections than tooth reshaping can fix alone.
Dental bridges and crowns are even more extensive than veneers. These restorations sit atop one or more damaged or missing teeth, providing support to any neighboring weakened teeth. For severe tooth damage, bridges or crowns are often the best or only option.
Tooth reshaping may be convenient and inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean you should trust just any dentist with your smile! As we’ve mentioned, there’s a small margin of error between the tooth contouring of your dreams and lasting oral sensitivity. That’s why it’s crucial to find the right dental clinic for your treatment.
With tooth reshaping, it all boils down to two things: training and experience. Above all, you want an expert you can trust to perform this nuanced procedure.
At Pinnacle Dentistry, both Dr. Jennings and Dr. Perrett have extensive education, certifications, and experience, with years of practice under their belts. There’s a reason many of our patients have been loyal to the practice for over a decade! Add our state-of-the-art dental technology and comprehensive but conservative treatment plans, and it’s clear why we’re the go-to dental team in Briargate.
If you’re considering tooth reshaping, we’d love to help. Call us today at 719.590.7100 or fill out our online form to request an appointment and discuss your options.
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