The size and shape of your teeth are just two of the many things that make your smile unique. Some people were born with teeth that are larger or smaller than the average person’s. Others may have worn down their teeth over time or chipped a tooth in an accident.
No matter what’s got you thinking about the shape of your teeth, you might be interested to hear that tooth reshaping is possible. There are three ways your dentist can help you with this concern:
- With enamel shaving
- With dental bonding
- With veneers
Today, we’ll go over all three treatments and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each.
1. Enamel Shaving (Contouring)
Enamel shaving (also known as dental contouring or enameloplasty) is the simplest way to change your tooth shape. During this procedure, your dentist will use a dental drill to carefully shave off a little of the enamel on the edges of your teeth.
This technique works best on teeth that are just a bit too large or pointed for the patient’s liking. It can’t make teeth look bigger, and there’s only so much enamel you can afford to lose without adding synthetic material into the mix. That’s where the next treatment option comes in.
2. Dental Bonding
If enamel shaving won’t be enough to get you the results you want, dental bonding might do the trick. In this procedure, dentists use a special resin to build up some parts of your teeth, making them larger and changing their overall silhouette.
Bonding is a highly versatile and minimally invasive technique that can produce impressive results. A skilled dentist can use it to build up the edges of a chipped tooth or fill in a gap in your front teeth.
Dental bonding can even be combined with enamel shaving in some cases. For example, picture a patient with long front teeth and a small gap between them. A dentist might help by shaving a little enamel from the bottom edge of each tooth, then building out their inside edges until the teeth appear to touch.
Dental bonding doesn’t last forever. It can break off or detach from the margins of the tooth, making it easy for tooth decay to set in if it isn’t repaired. That said, it’s relatively affordable and highly effective for most adjustments patients want to make.
3. Veneers
Sometimes patients are looking for dramatic changes in their tooth shape – the kind that make you do a double take and wonder how that result could possibly have been achieved. In these cases, we usually recommend veneers.
Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or dental composite that are permanently cemented to the front of your teeth. They can be any size or shape you want, and they can even make twisted or crooked teeth look straighter.
Your dentist will need to remove some enamel from the front of your teeth to apply your veneers. This will slightly weaken the affected teeth and make it impossible to remove the veneers in the future. If they break or get stained, you’ll need to replace them. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of your veneers and protect them from damage whenever possible.
You can get veneers for just one or two teeth or opt for a full set. A full set costs more, but going this route keeps your teeth looking uniform and can give your smile an instant whiteness boost. Many people choose this option when they want full control over what their smile looks like.
Reshape Your Teeth Today
You shouldn’t have to go through life feeling self-conscious about the shape or size of your teeth. At Ouellette Dentistry, we believe every patient should be able to smile with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and discuss your needs with our team. We’ll get you started with a custom treatment plan tailored to your smile goals.
