Unfortunately, not all of us can be born with picture-perfect teeth. Sometimes, our teeth could use a little help getting there. Whether you’re looking to further improve the appearance of your teeth after braces, or for a simple fix to even out misshapen teeth, tooth reshaping may be the solution best suited for you. What is tooth reshaping? Tooth reshaping/tooth contouring is a technique used in cosmetic dentistry to alter the length, shape, or surface of your tooth to improve its overall appearance. Tooth reshaping is often used in combination with bonding. This is a procedure involving the use of tooth-coloured material to build up your tooth or fill in the gaps between teeth. How is tooth reshaping done at Hyde Park Dental Care? First, your dentist may need an x-ray of your teeth to assess the thickness of the enamel and dentine and pinpoint the exact location of your tooth’s pulp. Where the outer layer of your tooth (enamel) is too thin or the pulp is too close to the tooth’s surface, your dentist will not recommend reshaping but will suggest other treatment options. If your dentist determines that you’re a suitable candidate, a small amount of your tooth’s enamel will be removed, using either a drill or a reshaping disc. Your tooth will be reshaped according to your desired specifications and then polished to smooth out any jagged edges and to add a natural-looking sheen. What are the differences between tooth reshaping and bonding? Tooth reshaping involves the minimal removal of some of your tooth’s enamel, whereas bonding involves adding tooth-coloured composite resin to your teeth in order to alter their look. Bonding doesn’t require major changes to be made to the actual structure of the tooth and is best used to fill in slight gaps between teeth and/or to change the shape of the tooth. Find out more about tooth reshaping today What are the pros and cons of tooth reshaping? Every treatment has its pros and cons. Part of providing you with the best in dental care, is ensuring you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment. 7 advantages of tooth reshaping The entire procedure is often a relatively short appointment and offers fantastic results; Tooth reshaping should be painless because there are no nerves in the outer layer of your teeth. Once the reshaping has been done, the results are long term Tooth reshaping can be performed in just one appointment; Tooth reshaping helps prevent the build-up of plaque by removing those crevices between teeth that make it difficult to brush and floss properly; Where you may have been considering braces, reshaping could possibly be a viable option as it creates the appearance of straighter teeth and rectifies minor overlapping; Tooth reshaping is a cost-effective procedure, relatively cheaper than other cosmetic dentistry procedures. 5 disadvantages of tooth reshaping Tooth reshaping can only be used to correct minor cosmetic issues because only a limited amount of enamel can be removed from your teeth; Reshaping is not the perfect solution for overly crooked or misshapen teeth; Cosmetic dental issues that can be corrected with tooth reshaping Fixing tiny chips in your teeth; Levelling out those pits or bulges in the enamel of your teeth; Making slight adjustments to uneven teeth to make them appear straighter; Making minor adjustments to your canines so that they are on the same level as your other teeth. Is tooth reshaping for me? If you require minor adjustments to your teeth and are looking to save the time and money needed for more major cosmetic dental procedures, then tooth reshaping could be ideal for you. Caring for your teeth after tooth reshaping Dental care after tooth reshaping is the same as for your other teeth. This includes maintaining excellent daily hygiene (brushing and flossing), maintaining a healthy diet and regular dental check-ups. A desensitising toothpaste can be used to help relieve symptoms of tooth sensitivity. And remember to be gentle when brushing your teeth, making sure your brush in circular motions without exerting too much force on your teeth. Reshape your teeth at Hyde Park Dental Care We’re here to answer all your questions about tooth reshaping and other cosmetic dentistry procedures that can give you that picture-perfect smile! Explore our cosmetic dentistry options If you are considering reshaping your teeth, Dr Brian Joffe and the friendly team at Hyde Park Dental Care here in Sydney can help you decide if reshaping your teeth is the best treatment for you. To book a consultation, don’t hesitate to call us on 02 9267 9526 or get in touch today. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.