Enamel or tooth reshaping in Bowmanville is a process that subtly changes the size, shape or length of a tooth. It is not designed to make any major changes to a tooth’s appearance. It is a quick, inexpensive, non-invasive treatment, but it might not be right for everyone.

Also called odontoplasty, enamel reshaping is where a small amount of tooth enamel is removed to change the appearance of a tooth slightly. After removing the tooth enamel, it is polished to feel smooth, clean and natural. Because the amount of enamel removed is so small, treatment is safe.

Who Can Have Enamel Reshaping?

You need teeth that are generally healthy, so there shouldn’t be any signs of tooth decay. We must examine your mouth carefully when you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental, and may need to take digital dental x-rays to take a closer look. It may be unsuitable for anyone with thinner tooth enamel than average, for example, anyone with signs of enamel erosion in Newcastle.

If you are suitable, it is important to have realistic expectations of how much enamel recontouring can achieve.

How Can Enamel Reshaping Affect a Tooth’s Appearance?

Treatment can be good if you have a tooth that only slightly overlaps another or is only slightly out of alignment. Removing just a small amount of tooth enamel can bring it back into line and create a more aesthetically pleasing shape. Enamel reshaping in Clarington can also be useful if a tooth is a bit too long.

Enamel recontouring is sometimes combined with another treatment called dental bonding.

What is Dental Bonding?

You might already be familiar with this process, which uses tooth-coloured composite resin applied directly to tooth surfaces to help change the overall shape, size and appearance. The material is also used to mend small to medium-sized cavities invisibly and comes in a huge range of shades so that the restoration will blend in beautifully with your natural tooth.

Treatment is also very quick and non-invasive and can be ideal if you have any of the following issues:

• Gaps between teeth that you would prefer to close or minimize.
• Discoloured teeth.
• Teeth that are worn down or too short or too small.

Like enamel recontouring, the effects are subtle yet noticeable. Treatment can be completed chairside in just a single visit and is very affordable.

What Is the Process for Dental Bonding?

Usually, it isn’t necessary to numb the tooth before beginning treatment. The tooth surface is coated with a special conditioning liquid that lightly etches or roughens it, increasing the strength of the bond between the tooth and composite resin. The liquid is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried. Our dentist in Courtice can choose a shade of composite resin that will blend in with your teeth. Sometimes, we may use multiple shades to get a precise match.

The composite resin is applied to the tooth surface in small increments or sections and hardened using a curing light. Once all the resin is in place, we can shape and polish it to look natural.

Composite resin is durable and relatively long-lasting, so your bonded teeth should look good for several years. Over time, it can become stained, especially if you smoke or love your coffee or tea or consume many brightly coloured foods and beverages.

If you want to make subtle changes to the appearance of your smile and don’t want to spend too much time and money on the process, enamel reshaping and dental bonding might be the answer you are looking for.