Everything You Need To Know About Teeth Reshaping Treatments
You are unhappy about an aspect of your smile, and when you see your dentist in Queens, they may suggest something called “tooth recontouring” – they may also call it “tooth reshaping”, or “tooth slenderizing”. These terms all mean the same thing.
But… What is it exactly? Here is everything you need to know about teeth reshaping treatments:
How An Enameloplasty Procedure Is Performed
What the dentist is doing when they perform an enameloplasty is that they are removing a very tiny part of the enamel so as to reshape it.
Another reason for doing this is for putting porcelain veneers on the front of the tooth. In this case, they might take a bit off both sides of the tooth to even everything out when it is finished. This is just one of the reasons that they do the tooth contouring, though. There are many other conditions that having this done can be beneficial to how your smile looks.
Enhance Your Smile’s Aesthetics
You may not like what your smile looks like when you look in the mirror. Perhaps a tooth is too long. That may make you hesitant to flash a grin when you see an attractive person on the subway or if you’re in a group photo. By doing this, you may seem standoffish, which may not really be your personality. Tooth contouring can help you regain your smile by helping your teeth look their best – that longer tooth can be shaved down to match the others.
Fix Chipped, Cracked Or Improperly Aligned Teeth
While there are options like veneers to cover chipped teeth, there are times when recontouring will do the trick. It’s permanent, and you won’t have to worry about cement coming off a veneer or a crown that is covering a cracked tooth. It can help with your bite, too, since it can help your teeth realign.
Contouring Can Repair The Damage Caused By Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Grinding your teeth can cause a lot more problems than just having a sore jaw when you wake up in the morning. The constant effect of the grinding can wear down the enamel of your teeth and leave you open to having a tooth crack or break. The best solution is to get a custom mouthguard so that your upper and lower teeth don’t touch while you sleep.
Still, something needs to be done if there is any damage done to your teeth. Tooth contouring can reshape the tooth so that it is hard to tell that anything ever happened to the tooth. This can possibly be a great alternative to getting a crown, which does offer protection, is still not natural and can cost a good amount of money depending on the material it is made from.
Are There Any Risks To Tooth Shaving?
This is usually considered a very safe procedure, since the dentist won’t be touching the root or pulp of your tooth. The dentist will only be taking off a small amount of the tooth enamel. They may not even give you any anesthesia since it’s not painful.
The only real risk is if the tooth is in a fragile state, like if it’s broken or cracked. They may have to apply other material to strengthen the tooth overall before proceeding with the tooth shaving. In general, though, you have nothing to worry about and everything should go smoothly.
Is Tooth Reshaping Covered By Insurance?
Tooth reshaping falls under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry and oftentimes dental insurers will deny the claim. They tend to feel that it does not add functionality to the tooth and is not necessary. Be ready to pay almost all of the cost out of pocket if that is the case.
There may be a time when the insurance does cover it – if you have an accident or are injured in a way that the dentist feels that reshaping your tooth is the best solution. They may also do it to improve your bite, so if they show it as being for a medical reason, the insurer may accept the claim. It’s always best to ask before moving forward so as to prevent any shock when you get a bill.
Having your teeth recontoured is usually not a huge time commitment. Expect each tooth to take roughly half an hour. There is no recovery time needed and all you have to do is brush and floss regularly. It’s a very simple procedure that can reap big benefits with your being happy with your smile.
Contact Certified & Experienced Dentists In Queens
Are you thinking about getting tooth contouring? You should contact certified & experienced dentists in Queens, like Dr. Robert M. Trager, the JFK-LGA Dentist. He will have your smile looking perfect in no time. Give him a call today to make an appointment: 718-656-4747.
Dr. Robert M. Trager
JFK Airport
Building 14 West Wing,
Jamaica, NY 11430
Phone: 718-656-4747
Website: https://jfk-lga-dentist.com
