Cosmetic Dental Services: Tooth and Gum Contouring

Tooth and gum contouring are popular cosmetic dental services that reshape the smile. They achieve this through two different approaches, however. One involves reshaping the appearance of the teeth, while the other corrects gummy smiles. In other words, they correct cosmetic imperfections for good oral health patients.

What is tooth contouring?

Tooth contouring is a painless procedure in which a cosmetic dentist grinds away the outermost layer of the teeth (enamel) to achieve the patient’s desired shape. Since there is a limited amount of tooth enamel, tooth contouring can correct minor issues or irregularities with a patient’s smile. Some examples include:

• Crooked teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Pointed teeth
• Teeth that are too long
• Minor cracks
• Minor chips
• Enamel pits
• Enamel bulges

This procedure is also known as cosmetic contouring, tooth reshaping, enameloplasty, and odontoplasty. No matter what a cosmetic dentist calls it, this procedure typically requires only one appointment. Patients can resume normal activities once they leave the office.

Benefits and risks

Tooth contouring is one of the least invasive cosmetic dental services, as only a minimal amount of enamel is removed. When it involves removing certain cosmetic imperfections, such as pits in the enamel and minor misalignment, it reduces the chances for plaque buildup and tooth decay (cavities). As mentioned, it is also painless.

There are, however, some risks associated with tooth contouring. The treated teeth may become sensitive, particularly to temperature changes. If the teeth are misshapen or uneven due to tooth grinding (bruxism), the issue may recur, requiring an alternative cosmetic dental service.

Can you reshape your tooth at home?

No. Without professional training that a cosmetic dentist completes, this is not something to attempt on one's own. While it may seem easy to file down an uneven tooth, it is even easier to file past the enamel and into the dentin. Doing so would be painful and compromise the structure of the tooth.

About gum contouring

Gum contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure in which the dentist sculpts the gum line. This is an effective treatment for patients who show too much of their gums when they smile (gummy smile). To complete this procedure, a cosmetic dentist will cut away excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or a laser. This exposes more of the teeth’s surfaces. Then, when the patient smiles, they should reveal less of their gum line and more of their actual teeth.

Pros and cons

Like tooth contouring, it is possible to complete gum contouring in a single appointment. That said, the procedure is not as painless. The cosmetic dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic before the procedure, but tenderness and discomfort should be expected afterward. They may prescribe pain medication to make recovery easier. Note that the gums may take up to a few weeks to heal completely.

Can gum contouring help with gum recession?

Patients with a receding gum line may also benefit from gum contouring. For these patients, the cosmetic dentist will take healthy gum tissue from another part of the mouth and transplant it into the problem area.