There are many reasons a tooth might become damaged. Cracks and chips can make a smile look less attractive and cause a person to feel self-conscious about their appearance. If the tooth is not in danger of necrosis, the dentist can often save it and repair the damage with tooth-colored recontouring. This procedure is fairly inexpensive and allows a person to improve the appearance of their smile while making their tooth stronger.
Tooth-colored recontouring uses a similar material to that used in filling a tooth. The compound material can be colored to closely match a patient’s tooth color so it blends in perfectly with their teeth. This is vital for a seamless repair that does not look obviously fixed. The dentist will start the procedure by first carefully numbing the patient and then cleaning the tooth they will be working on.
The dentist will protect the gums and lips to make sure they do not come into contact with the materials that will be used in the repairs. The tooth will need to first be smoothed so any sharp or ragged edges are made smooth. This is vital for a proper repair. Once the tooth has been smoothed, the dentist will then slightly roughen the outer tooth area where the repair will be carried out.
Once the material has been mixed and colored, it will be carefully applied to the tooth and smoothed with special tools. The dentist will apply the material in thin layers and cure the layers to make sure they become hard. Once cured and hardened, the material will be carefully smoothed and shined so it mimics the natural tooth tissue in reflecting light, so the repair looks as natural as possible.
Recontouring may be used to reshape teeth by making them large and more uniform, in addition to repairing teeth that have been damaged. The repair will generally stay in place around five years but will need to be maintained to ensure it does not become damaged.
If you would like to improve the appearance of your smile, contact Lewis Family Dentistry. They will be happy to schedule your consultation appointment so your smile can be repaired. You can also connect them on Facebook.
