Cosmetic Contouring

Cosmetic contouring is yet another cosmetic procedure that can give your smile a completely new look in just one appointment. It can be the ideal way to repair things like crooked teeth, overlapping teeth and chips and cracks. Contouring is most often used to change the length of teeth either by making them longer or shorter so that the patient ends up with a beautifully symmetrical smile. Sometimes it may just a matter of a few millimeters that can make all the difference in the world when it comes to the appearance of your smile.

Cosmetic contouring is like a fine art and it requires a skillful hand to work its magic on your smile. Your dentist starts the procedure by taking X-rays that will help him to know exactly where the pulp of each tooth is located so he can be sure that your teeth are strong enough to handle the procedure. From there he will use as pencil to mark the areas that will be worked on and then begin shaping and contouring the tooth skillfully using either a laser or a sanding drill or sometimes both. Special strips are also used and swept back and forth over the teeth to help shape the sides. All that’s left then is to smooth and polish so that your teeth are left looking flawless.

Depending on the types of imperfections you’re dealing with and the amount of work you’re having done, the entire procedure will take anywhere from one visit to three visits. Just imagine – the unsightly imperfections that you’ve dealt with for years and years can be virtually erased in almost no time at all.  We’ve really come a long way in dentistry! And to make cosmetic contouring an even more appealing choice for you; it can be done without the use of anesthesia in most cases and involves very little discomfort if any at all. Contouring can also be used to correct some of the same things that braces are used for in certain cases. This is especially appealing for adults who want a straighter and more even smile without having to wear braces.

A simple consultation with the dentist is all you need to see if you are a good candidate for cosmetic contouring. This procedure can be used for some very minor repairs which make it ideal for almost anyone. If your teeth fall on the weaker side then a combination of contouring along with another procedure like bonding or veneers may be a better option for a complete smile makeover. This is because contouring involves the removal of enamel which you may be already be lacking if you have weak teeth. This is something that you and the dentist can talk about and resolve during your consultation so together you can come up with the best plan for getting you the smile you deserve. Whether it’s cosmetic contouring, another cosmetic dentistry procedure or a combination, you’ll be able to achieve the smile that you’ve always dreamed of.