The shape of your teeth will be essential for determining the overall appearance of your smile. To help patients that have malformed teeth, it is possible to go through a tooth contouring procedure.
Why Would You Want To Undergo Tooth Contouring?
There can be numerous sources of structural damage to teeth. Whether it is due to decay or a hard blow to the mouth, a tooth that has become misshapen may pose numerous problems. When the tooth is visible, it can cause serious cosmetic problems that may make individuals self-conscious about smiling. Also, these structural issues may contribute to speech problems. Lastly, a damaged or misshapen tooth may be at a higher risk of developing severe decay. This arises as a result of plaque and tartar becoming trapped in the malformed part of the tooth due to it being more difficult to clean. As a result, tooth contouring can be important for both practical and cosmetic reasons.
How Is Tooth Contouring Performed?
Tooth contouring may sound like a painful procedure, but it is fairly mild. The exact steps for tooth contouring will vary based on the type of problem that is being corrected. When the tooth has been chipped or cracked, the dentist will need to apply a bonding material to the damaged area to restore it to its natural appearance. However, if the tooth is tooth large, it is possible to remove a portion of the enamel so that it will have a more natural fit in your mouth. Once the outer layer of enamel has been removed, a bonding material will be coated on the exterior of the tooth to protect it. This entire process will typically take several hours to complete, but if you are needing multiple teeth contoured, you may need to schedule several sessions.
Do Contoured Teeth Require Any Special Care To Maintain?
Individuals that are considering tooth contouring procedures may be concerned about a need to perform extensive maintenance to keep their smile looking good. However, a tooth that has been contoured will not require much more care than a natural tooth. You will still need to brush and floss on a regular basis to prevent tartar and plaque accumulations. While the bonding material is not susceptible to decay, large colonies of bacteria can contribute to gum disease. After several years, you may need to have new bonding applied, but this will be a fairly quick procedure as the bonding material can be applied to the tooth without needing to adjust the enamel.
