Sometimes, our teeth may not look like exactly the way we want them to. Sometimes we find a tiny chip on their surface or a rough spot that irritates our tongue or cheeks. The problem may not require an extended dental intervention, but we cannot overlook the problem, can we? This is where enamel shaping comes in! Let us take a look today at this procedure, trying to better understand what it is when we need it and how it is done.
What is Enamel Shaping?
Enamel shaping is a non-invasive dental procedure also known as dental countering. During this procedure, your dentist can smoothen your teeth’s’ rough edges and rough spots, while correcting minor cases of overlapping or crowded teeth if the situation requires it. The procedure is quick, inexpensive, and you can get a new look and feel of your teeth in only one sitting. Usually, the treatment deals with adjusting the aspect of your teeth. Your doctor uses the same tools he uses when offers you a routine teeth-cleaning treatment. In comparison to other more complex dental procedures, enamel shaping implies that your doctor polishes, rounds, and smoothens the edges and surface of your teeth.
When do You Need Enamel Shaping?
As a simple, effective, and painless method to improve your smile on the spot, enamel shaping is preferred in one or more of the following situations:
- You present chipped enamel on the surface of your teeth
- There are some pits in the enamel
- You have small teeth irregularities
- You have some uneven teeth
- You have a small teeth overlapping problem
- Some of your teeth have rough edges
- Some of your teeth are oversized
- Some of your teeth present misshapes pointy vampire-like canines, or edgy square teeth that do not match your other rounder ones.
Like many cosmetic dentistry procedures, this one also requires your dentist to perform an initial evaluation of your dental health and status. Some teeth problems may elicit more advanced treatments (bonding or crowns). If the teeth need an advanced makeover, your dentist may recommend veneers or other procedures to make you look like having celebrities’ teeth.
How is Enamel Shaping Done?
As we said, your dentist will usually use the same common tools he uses when he performs a teeth-cleaning procedure. However, enamel shaping requires some artistry and an experienced hand. Your dentist will meticulously use a sanding disk or fine diamond burs to remove any roughness or pits and slightly reshape the tooth or teeth in question. Then, he will polish the teeth to finish the procedure and restore your smile. Dental countering is usually paired with bonding – to correct the spaces in between your teeth or solve other dental problems.
One of the main advantages of enamel shaping is that it does not involve anesthesia – as it is painless, as we said – and it does not waste your time.
In case your teeth become too sensitive after the sanding and the polishing procedure, your doctor may recommend you to use a fluoride paste or an anti-sensitivity toothpaste to alleviate the discomfort you might feel for a few days. Keep in mind that you can alleviate some of these problems with homemade remedies for teeth sensitivity.
Enamel Shaping Limitations
This procedure, with all its advantages, has, of course, some limitations. One of them is that enamel shaping cannot replace teeth bonding or veneers if you need such procedures. If you have severely chipped teeth or fractured teeth, you may need more than a re-contouring procedure to improve their appearance. It cannot replace dental braces either, if you have badly misaligned or spaced-out teeth.
Wrapping up…
Enamel shaping saves you a lot of stress, time, and money if you have a minor dental problem. Your dentist can recommend it for a wide variety of teeth issues, which he or she can repair on the spot, helping you to regain your smile and your self-confidence.
Did you ever request your dentist an enamel shaping procedure? How was it? Do you have something to share about its results? Feel free to use the comments section below to share your thoughts about this dental treatment!
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