Teeth come in all shapes and sizes. Often, they are proportionate, even if there are alignment issues. But for some people, the size of their teeth is an issue. It’s common for people with teeth that are larger than average to feel self-conscious about their smile. The good news is that it’s possible to reshape teeth to suit their mouth better. Big front teeth reshaping is a safe and effective way to improve the look of your smile.
Here’s what you need to know if you think the procedure might be right for you.
What Is Big Front Teeth Reshaping?
Officially, the process of teeth reshaping is called odontoplasty or dental contouring. It’s a cosmetic dental procedure that makes it possible to alter the shape and size of teeth. It can be done on almost any teeth, but it’s most common on teeth visible when you smile.
The tooth reshaping process requires the removal of tiny amounts of the hard outer layer of the teeth, or enamel. The goal is to create better balance and proportion among the teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Front Teeth Reshaping?
The benefits of teeth reshaping include:
- Enhanced smile: The most obvious benefit of teeth reshaping is improving your smile and overall appearance. This is the most common reason people consider this procedure. When you reduce the size of disproportionate front teeth, you create greater harmony in your appearance.
- Improve confidence: An improved appearance comes with a boost in confidence. When you can look in the mirror, smile, and like what you see, you’ll experience increased confidence that carries over into every part of your life.
- Pain-free: Teeth reshaping is a relatively simple procedure that doesn’t cause any pain. In most cases, it can be completed within a single dental visit without any negative side or after-effects. It’s non-invasive and requires very little recovery time or restrictions.
- Low-cost: Teeth reshaping is one of the most economical ways to improve your smile’s appearance. Any cosmetic dental procedure is a financial investment, but compared to the cost of veneers or crowns, at approximately $50 to $300 per tooth, reshaping is often the most affordable path to a better smile.
Process of Big Front Teeth Reshaping
The process of front teeth reshaping is relatively quick but includes a few steps:
- Initial consultation: The process begins with a consultation to discuss your current situation, what you’d like to change, and whether or not reshaping is the ideal solution. This initial phase also includes a checkup to ensure you don’t have any dental health issues that would interfere with the procedure.
- Planning: Next, your dentist will evaluate the structure of your teeth using imaging and X-rays. You and your dentist will create a plan that allows you to see the procedure’s outcome.
- Reshaping: Once the plan is in place, your dentist will carefully remove small amounts of tooth enamel from your front teeth by filing and contouring the edges and areas of your teeth. They’ll continue to do so until you achieve the desired shape and size.
- Polishing and finishing touches: Finally, once the desired shape and size are achieved, your dentist will polish the teeth to create a smooth, natural appearance.
Perhaps surprisingly, the process usually takes about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the extent of the reshaping. There is rarely any pain or discomfort associated with the procedure.
Risks
Like all medical procedures, as safe and effective as front teeth reshaping is, it is not entirely risk-free. Before committing to reshaping, consider the following:
- Permanent enamel loss: Enamel is a finite substance that does not grow back. Any enamel you remove from your teeth is gone forever. While removing what’s needed to balance your smile, it’s essential not to remove enamel excessively because it can weaken your teeth.
- Sensitivity: Some people find that their reshaping procedure makes their teeth more sensitive. In many cases, the increased sensitivity is temporary.
- Limited results: Reshaping is ideal for minor adjustments, but it will give you a completely different smile. In severe cases, veneers might be a better option.
- Imprecise: This is rarely a risk with an experienced dentist, but poorly executed reshaping can leave your smile uneven or worsen the existing imbalance, but this usually isn’t the case when trying to reduce the size of your teeth.
Is Teeth Reshaping Right for You?
If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your front teeth, front teeth reshaping is a safe and effective option. It’s a quick, relatively painless, and permanent procedure that offers immediate results with minimal downtime. Call us to learn more about teeth reshaping or to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
