If you are conscious about your teeth’ appearance, feel, or functionality, there are cosmetic dentistry procedures that can improve them and leave you feeling great about yourself. Cosmetic contouring is one such procedure that could eliminate grooves, dents, or chips on your teeth. It will improve your smile and how you feel about yourself. The procedure entails contouring or reshaping your teeth to enhance their look, feel, functionality, and general oral health. If you would like to learn more about cosmetic contouring in Lomita, CA, contact us at Washington Dental. We are a dedicated team of dentists that provide quality and comprehensive dental care for all.

Cosmetic Contouring — Overview

The smile of a human being is essential to him. It is what enables a person to give a lasting first impression. First impressions are crucial, especially on occasions like interviews, weddings, dates, and other significant events. If you do not feel good about yourself, more so your mouth, teeth, or gums, you will not enjoy smiling. That is why dentists around the globe are continuously finding ways to help their patients achieve that beautiful smile that gives them confidence and enables them to enjoy happier lives. Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way to help people experiencing oral and dental problems fix those problems for a more beautiful smile.

Cosmetic contouring is among the many cosmetic dentistry procedures available today. It aims to reshape teeth that appear out of shape to improve a patient’s appearance, boost their confidence and make them feel great about themselves. If you have always held back from smiling to hide your teeth from the world, it is time to come out and have your teeth contoured. It will change their look, oral health, and general well-being.

Many people opt for braces to achieve a better look and shape with their teeth. However, braces can be expensive, and not everyone can afford them. That is why cosmetic dentists offer more affordable alternatives to help even those that may not afford the most expensive procedures. Cosmetic contouring is a cheaper alternative to braces. Anyone can undergo contouring to improve the look and feel of their teeth.

The enamel of a human tooth is its tough outer covering and one of the strongest substances of the human body. However, the enamel has its limits and can be damaged if not taken good care of. Excessive wear and tear and a forceful blow are some of those issues that could cause a tooth to chip. A chipped tooth becomes jagged, sharp, and disfigured. Other causes of chipping teeth are grinding teeth, car accidents, a fall, playing contact sports without a mouthguard, and biting down on hard surfaces or foods.

Treatment for chipped teeth mainly depends on the location of the affected tooth and the severity of the damage. Cosmetic contouring remains a more affordable form of treatment that could bring your tooth’s shape back and give you a reason to smile once again.

Malocclusion is another dental problem that can be corrected through cosmetic contouring. It is a problem in which your teeth are misaligned. Malocclusion will make it hard for you to enjoy smiling, affect your confidence and other vital functions of your teeth, including chewing and biting. A professional dentist can contour your teeth to give them a perfect look and improve their functioning.

Who Can Undergo Cosmetic Contouring

Cosmetic contouring is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can benefit all kinds of people. The ideal patient must be experiencing minor imperfections with their teeth and is seeking a healthier and more pulsating smile. The most common dental issues that could be treated with cosmetic contouring include:

Fractured or Cracked Tooth

A fractured or cracked tooth is one whose enamel, the hard outer shell of a tooth, has cracked. The enamel of a tooth protects its soft inner parts where the nerves and blood vessels run. A large fracture or crack on a tooth could expose the tooth to external elements resulting in infections. It may also be painful and extremely sensitive.

Pits and Grooves in the Tooth

Small depressions could occur on the surface of a tooth due to pressure while biting or chewing. Sometimes grooves occur naturally on a tooth’s biting area, especially on molars or premolars. But if these pits and grooves are many, they might interfere with the look and functioning of the tooth.

Overlapping Teeth

Teeth overlap if they are misaligned or crowded. Overlapping teeth do not always look good, can be uncomfortable, and sometimes cause health issues. If they affect your confidence or the way you chew or bite, it is best to have them treated immediately.

Chipped Teeth

A chipped tooth feels, looks, or works just like a broken or fractured tooth. If the tooth lost a large chip, it could affect its functionality, your smile, and eventually, your confidence. A tooth is also bound to be weak if it has lost part of its enamel. That is why it is best to have it treated right away.

Uneven Teeth

Uneven teeth will also affect the way you smile. They could interfere with proper chewing, make it a challenge to keep teeth clean and put a strain on your jaws and muscles. Uneven teeth will make you feel self-conscious and could eventually affect your self-esteem.

Therefore, cosmetic contouring can be used to treat a wide range of dental issues and improve the way you feel about yourself. However, you must have a good amount of enamel to undergo the treatment. People who have lost a good amount of the outer covering of their tooth could be left with weaker teeth after treatment, which is not a good thing. Again, dental patients with several other dental issues might require additional treatments to ensure that the functionality of their teeth is fully restored.

The Procedure

Cosmetic contouring, also called teeth reshaping or odontoplasty, is a straightforward cosmetic dentistry treatment that involves removing your tooth enamel to change its form. It is conducted by dentists with specialized training and only takes a few minutes to complete. Thus, you need only one visit to the dental office to have the treatment completed. The goal is to change your affected tooth’s shape, appearance, or length to enhance how you look and feel.

The procedure begins with your dentist assessing your teeth and mouth to check whether other dental or oral issues could be affecting your general wellbeing. Your dentist will then assess the damaged tooth/teeth and establish how contouring could help you achieve a beautiful smile. Your dentist’s goal is not just to give you back your smile but also to ensure that your smile will be healthy and your teeth more functional.

Cosmetic contouring mainly involves removing the outer coating of your tooth’s enamel. It could be coupled with other dental procedures like bonding and teeth whitening to give you complete treatment to improve oral health. You will not need anesthesia while undergoing cosmetic contouring because the treatment doesn’t involve your nerves.

When your dentist determines that everything is okay and that you are ready for the procedure, he/she will start to remove the outer hardcover of the affected tooth. You might experience some vibration and discomfort along the way as your dentist sculptures and smoothens the affected tooth. He/she will achieve the final look by polishing the enamel to remove any stains, plaque, or tartar buildup. The procedure is accomplished by the use of a sanding drill or a sharp diamond-tipped drill or laser.

The entire process takes about 30 minutes, after which you will be able to see great results. The beauty of this form of treatment is that it is painless, quick, and requires no recovery period.

Advantages of Cosmetic Contouring

Dental contouring is a very beneficial process, but cosmetic contouring mainly aims at improving the patient’s feel and appearance. The procedure may have a lot to offer in terms of benefits, but the focus of most patients who opt for this mode of treatment is the look of their smile. Here are some of the most incredible benefits of contouring that cannot be ignored:

It Enhances Symmetry

People are likely to be attracted to you by your smile. That is why it is vital for most people if they have a perfect smile. It is what gives them the confidence to socialize and live a full life. However, this could be a challenge if you have uneven teeth lengths or some teeth that do not have the perfect shape.

Contouring is necessary as it balances the shape of a tooth to give you the balance you need when you smile. Teeth that appear longer or out of shape are perfectly contoured to provide them with the standard shape and length that will make them appear uniform when you smile.

It’s Inexpensive

Cosmetic dentistry can be costly, making it only affordable to a few. However, many people deserve dental treatment to improve their oral health and leave them feeling good about themselves. That is why today, we have affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures. An example of this is cosmetic contouring. There are expensive procedures to improve the look and feel of damaged teeth, such as braces or veneers. But contouring will give you desirable results at a much cheaper cost.

In addition to being an inexpensive procedure, you do not pay for extra services like anesthesia while undergoing cosmetic contouring. Again, the treatment is completed one day, without the need to visit the dentist’s office several other days for additional treatment.

Instantaneous Results

If you have had to deal with overlapping, chipped, broken, or misaligned teeth for a long time, you will know how hard it can become to hide imperfect teeth from the rest of the world. If you have already decided to undergo treatment, cosmetic contouring is the right procedure to enjoy instant results. With this mode of treatment, you do not have to wait for weeks or months to see great results. The treatment takes only 30 minutes, after which you will no longer feel the need to hide your beautiful smile.

Most cosmetic dentistry procedures will require you to visit the dentist’s office twice or more times for treatment to achieve the desired results. With cosmetic contouring, you do not have to wait that long to see your beautiful and flawless smile.

It’s Painless

Nothing scares most dental patients more than pain while undergoing treatment. Even though most dental procedures are performed under anesthesia, some patients would opt to skip treatment to avoid any pain. Cosmetic contouring is painless. It only involves the removal of the enamel of the affected tooth. The enamel consists of dead cells with no nerves. Again, dentists have been trained to be gentle with dental equipment. Thus, you can be assured of an easy, quick, painless, and comfortable treatment.

Improves Overall Health

Any kind of treatment you receive for your mouth, teeth, or gums brings you a step closer to better health. Therefore, cosmetic contouring is one way to achieve good health. This form of treatment takes care of dental problems that would affect your oral health and general well-being if left untreated. For instance, overlapping teeth are difficult to keep clean. Thus, bacteria can quickly grow in those hard-to-reach areas, resulting in oral dental problems like tooth decay and infections. These problems will also affect your general well-being. Contouring also rids the teeth of plaque and tartar, which are the leading causes of gum disease.

Additionally, it is possible to feel good about yourself and enjoy good health when you are comfortable about how you feel and look. Cosmetic contouring helps improve your overall look and feel.

The Disadvantage of Cosmetic Contouring

The only disadvantage of cosmetic contouring is its effect on the structure and layout of your tooth and enamel. The procedure involves the removal of enamel to give the damaged tooth an ideal shape and size. However, this is limited by the thickness of the enamel at the point where the tooth needs reshaping. It only means that this is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can be applied to repair minor cosmetic problems instead of making drastic changes to a patient’s appearance and bite.

The advantage is that modern-day dentists have vast knowledge regarding various cosmetic dentistry procedures to advise you before the final decision is made. Your dentist will also examine your teeth and general oral health to determine whether cosmetic contouring is ideal for you. If need be, an X-ray will be performed to determine the health and suitability of the enamel before the beginning of the procedure.

If by any chance, the procedure leaves you with even thinner enamel, it could increase the risk of wear and tear on your tooth, exposing your tooth to dental problems like sensitivity. That is why it is essential to take good care of the treated tooth after cosmetic contouring. Some of the precautions you could take while practicing proper oral care routine after the procedure include:

  • Brushing your teeth gently using a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush

  • Flossing between teeth thoroughly every day

  • Avoiding hard foods and non-food items like ice cubes that could harm your enamel even further

  • Refraining from smoking and using other tobacco products

  • Visiting your dentist at least every six months

  • If you are in the habit of grinding your teeth, consider wearing a dental night guard. it will prevent more wear and tear on the already affected teeth and keep your teeth strong and healthy

  • Eat a healthy diet consisting of plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits like apples could help scrape plaque off your teeth. Ensure to take plenty of water every day as it washes off debris and food particles that, if left, could be more damaging to your teeth

Other Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures That Could be Paired With Contouring

Cosmetic contouring is a procedure that could be combined with others to give you a perfect smile and restore your confidence. For example, if your teeth are misaligned, you might need to wear braces sometimes to align them well and correct overlapping. After that, your dentist can recommend contouring to reshape those teeth that appear out of form. Here are other dental procedures you might consider if you wish for an even better smile:

Teeth Whitening

If more of your teeth are discolored, cosmetic contouring alone may not give you the results you need for a brighter smile. Your dentist might recommend combining contouring with teeth whitening for better results. Teeth whitening is a prevalent cosmetic dental procedure. Even though human teeth are not designed to be bright white, no one feels confident when their teeth are discolored.

Your dentist will recommend teeth whitening if he/she feels that you could benefit more from whitening alongside contouring. This will be the case if you have more stains on your teeth from coffee, soda, smoking, and other highly-colored foods.

Teeth whitening comes with great benefits that are worth your consideration. For instance, it will boost your confidence and raise your self-esteem, especially since you can confidently smile and enjoy your life. Discolored teeth are embarrassing and a reason why you might be shy and unable to live a full life. Combining contouring and teeth whitening will give you a new and improved smile and an even greater appearance.

The advantage of teeth whitening is that it is inexpensive and will boost your general oral health.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are an excellent way to correct and change your smile. They involve the use of thin slices of ceramic or porcelain materials which are bonded to the front of a damaged tooth to improve its appearance and your smile. The advantage of using veneers is that they are durable and strong and look more like natural teeth. They will also enhance your smile and appearance instantaneously, just like cosmetic contouring.

Your dentist will recommend combining contouring and veneers for several reasons. First, if you have several cosmetic issues of varying degrees that need fixing. Your dentist will reshape those teeth that require contouring and then use veneers to improve the look and feel of others. For instance, contouring can bring them back in form if you have some teeth out of shape or longer than the others. But, if you still have larger spaces and gaps between your teeth, your dentist can use veneers to fix those.

Veneers can also be used on those teeth that do not have enough enamel for contouring. Remember that contouring is only possible if it will not damage the tooth further. Therefore, if you have a problem with several teeth and some of them cannot be reshaped, your dentist might recommend veneers. The good thing is that they are easy to maintain and keep clean. They are also durable and could keep your teeth in great shape for a long time.

Teeth Bonding

Teeth bonding is another type of cosmetic dentistry procedure that seeks to improve the look and feel of damaged teeth. It involves attaching natural-looking composite materials to damaged teeth to give them back their shape and improve their functionality. However, before bonding, your dentist must reshape the damaged tooth to prepare it for the bond. Thus, dental patients who choose teeth bonding might have to undergo cosmetic contouring to attain the correct form of their damaged teeth.

Find a Lomita Dentist

If the look or feel of your teeth has affected your smile and confidence, it might be time to consider cosmetic dentistry. Fortunately, several cosmetic dentistry procedures could improve your smile and bring back your confidence. For instance, cosmetic contouring is an inexpensive, quick, and effective way to reshape misaligned, chipped, or broken teeth. If you consider cosmetic contouring in Lomita, CA, contact Washington Dental at 310-326-5183. Our dedicated team will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to determine whether contouring is proper for you. We will then take you through the quick process to brighten your smile and give you back your confidence.