Your teeth can make or break your smile. If you don't like the appearance of your teeth, you may try to hide your smile. You might even avoid smiling altogether. If your teeth are misshapen, slightly damaged, or overlap in a few places, but you don't need braces, you may be the perfect candidate for tooth reshaping. With tooth reshaping, your cosmetic dentist will shave small portions of the enamel off your teeth, to give them a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Before you can have the procedure performed however, your dentist will need to decide if it's right for you. Here are four signs that tooth reshaping is the right option for you.
Your Teeth are Healthy
If you've got healthy teeth, meaning they show no sign of decay or cavities, tooth reshaping may be right for you. Because tooth reshaping removes portions of the enamel, your dentist needs to be sure that your teeth are healthy. Prior to the procedure, your dentist will take a full set of X-rays. If any decay or cavities are found, those problems will need to be cleared up before the procedure can be performed. If you're considering tooth reshaping, it's a good idea to start taking good care of your teeth, and seeing your dentist for a thorough exam.
You Don't Have Active Gum Disease
If you've got active gum disease, your dentist won't be able to proceed with the procedure until the infection is cleared up completely. Reshaping your teeth while you have active gum disease can lead to further complications. If you have gum disease, be sure to have your dentist clear that up before you consider tooth reshaping. If you're not sure whether you have gum disease, watch for the following signs:
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Bleeding gums
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Red, swollen gums
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Foul smelling discharge from around the teeth
If you notice any of those signs, have your dentist take a look at your gums. If you have gum disease, your dentist will need to resolve that issue before you can have your teeth reshaped.
You Have Plenty of Enamel
If you've decided to have your teeth reshaped, you'll need plenty of enamel. That's because your dentist will shave some of the enamel off to reshape your tooth, especially around the edges. If you don't have enough enamel, and too much is shaved off, you could end up with exposed dentin, which could lead to tooth sensitivity and pain.
If you don't like the shape of your teeth, it's time to talk to a cosmetic dentist, such as at Sun Dental, about tooth reshaping. Reshaping can improve the look of your teeth without the use of porcelain veneers or orthodontic braces.
