Cosmetic tooth contouring (aka tooth reshaping; enameloplasty) is a simple procedure which aims to change the shape of a tooth most often the edge (bottom edge of upper front teeth or upper edge of lower front teeth) to obtain a more pleasing look.
This is done by shaping the enamel (white structure of the teeth) with gentle abrasive polishers of different grit. The procedure can have a significant impact on the harmony of the teeth which results in a more confident smile.
In those cases, tooth contouring can even up the edge of the tooth and eliminate the chips making the edge even and straight In those cases, rounding the corners of the teeth can give a more natural, softer and harmonious look. This can also eliminate the look of worn teeth from grinding. Finally, this is also helpful when tooth slimming of upper teeth was done in the past In those cases, tooth contouring can help if the fractured edge is small and the tooth can handle being modified without looking too short. A careful analysis of the entire smile is required as additional teeth may require to be contoured to make the result look pleasing
Minor tooth modifications with little impact on the cosmetically acceptable length-to-width ratio of the tooth. The ideal candidate is a patient whose front teeth have minor imperfections in tooth length and shape with other wise well aligned teeth. The main limitation of tooth contouring is the length of the tooth and how much the edge of the upper teeth show when the upper lip is resting.
If it is likely that tooth contouring will lead to an unacceptably short tooth, then it is preferred to augment the tooth to restore the length and proper shape. A smile analysis of the upper lip in relation to how much the teeth show when smiling, speaking, and at lip rest position is critical to decide if a front tooth can cosmetically handle contouring (removing tooth enamel) or require restoring (adding tooth structure) the tooth with bonding or veneers.
Average cost could range from $75 to $125 dollar per tooth.
