A nice form of minimally invasive dentistry which not many people are aware of is called tooth contouring. It can change the size and shape of the teeth and make them look smoother and straighter, says Dr. Mark Gustavson, a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin.
Simple tooth contouring can sometimes be done to change the shape of the size of the teeth, to fool the eye into making it appear that the teeth are straighter or in better shape than they truly are. The most simple contouring, which is done quite often, is to remove the dental mamelons from the patient’s teeth. Mamelons are the small bumps that are formed when the teeth are first erupting. As most people age, they get worn away and give a more flat appearance to the tooth. Some patients, however, don’t wear their teeth so much, and it is sometimes nice to remove those mamelons to create a more adult-looking smile when a patient is older.
Softening Sharp Edges
At other times, we do tooth contouring when teeth have been worn to sharp edges, and therefore have rough edges to them. We do this by rounding or polishing those rough edges, and by doing, so they not only look smoother and therefore better, but are also less likely to chip or break in the future.
Contouring can also be done when teeth are out of position and in different angles, again to trick the eye into believing that the teeth are straighter than they actually are. But one must also remember that once you remove a tooth structure, you cannot just put it back.
Contouring can be done along with other cosmetic procedures, with veneers and crowns for example, to create a more harmonious smile without having to do more extensive dental care. Contouring can be considered minimally invasive dentistry, because you are not removing as much tooth structure as you would do with other types of tooth restoration.
Contouring can also be done to slacken some tooth structure or create a more rounded tooth structure, to once again change how the tooth is perceived when you look at it. It can make a tooth look wider, narrower or longer, by just changing the shape of the front of the tooth. Ask your dentist today if you are interested in changing the appearance of your teeth - as well as the way they feel - with this minimally invasive procedure.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
