Recontouring
Indications for treatment
- Fixing small chips
- Adjusting irregular tooth shapes
- Smoothing out pits or bulges in a tooth’s enamel surface
- Adjusting the length of teeth (Commonly canine and Incisor teeth)
The procedure
A sanding disc or fine diamond drill removes small amounts of the tooth enamel in question. Materials such as abrasive strips can remove imperfections between your teeth. Once happy that the imperfections have been removed, we then polish the tooth to smooth and apply a high fluoride varnish to minimise post-operative sensitivity. Since the procedure doesn’t involve work close to the nerve of the tooth, anaesthetic is not usually required, but if you would rather have an anaesthetic, this of course can be given.
Benefits
- The results can be seen immediately
- Recontouring is a short and simple treatment
- It is a conservative treatment option
- Can improve overall dental health by removing deep pits or crevices in teeth where plaque and tartar can build up.
Contra-Indications
- Not recommended if chips or fractures in teeth are substantial
- If the enamel layer is thin or too weak, or the nerve of the tooth lies too close to the tooth’s surface
- May not be a substitute for Composite fillings/Veneers or crowning if defect is too large to correct
- Because enamel cannot be replaced once taken away, patients must carefully consider this treatment
What is it?
This is a very conservative and easy cosmetic treatment where a small amount of tooth enamel is removed to change either a tooth’s shape, length or shape. This treatment is carried out to create balance in a patients' smile.
The image below shows incisal edge chips and wear which can easily be re-shaped or smoothed to create a more balance smile
