We all have times when we look in the mirror and see our smile, right? Sometimes, little things bother us. You may have thought things like, "Oh, this tooth of mine is a little longer than the other one," "The corner of the front tooth is a little broken," or "The corner of this tooth is a little too sharp." There is no reason to hide your smile or feel sad because of small cosmetic problems like these. Because there is a very simple, painless, and quick solution to this. That is the solution we are going to talk about today.
What exactly is Enameloplasty?
Simply put, Enameloplasty is a cosmetic dental procedure used to make minor changes to the shape, size, or surface of a tooth. It is also known by other names, such as teeth reshaping, teeth filing, or dental contouring.
This involves removing a very small amount of the outermost layer of tooth enamel to give the tooth a new, beautiful shape. This is not essential to the health of your teeth. That means it won't harm your teeth if you don't have it done. But if you want to add more beauty and balance to your smile, this is a great option for you.
What kind of things can be done with enameloplasty?
This treatment is often used to correct minor cosmetic defects in the teeth. Imagine, you have a friend who has a small chip on one of his front teeth. He finds it difficult to smile. This treatment can easily fix something like that.
In general, Enameloplasty helps with these things:
- Straighten irregularly shaped teeth .
- Repair very small cracks or chips in your teeth.
- Some people have pointy teeth. Reduce the sharpness of those pointy teeth and give them a nice shape.
- Balance it by making one tooth slightly longer than the other teeth.
- Remove roughness from the surface of the teeth and make them smooth .
Sometimes dentists perform this treatment alone. Other times, they perform it in conjunction with other treatments, such as braces, dental bonding, or teeth whitening.
Do I need to prepare for this treatment beforehand?
Yes, a little preparation is needed. When you decide to have a cosmetic procedure like this, you should first see a qualified dentist.
There, the doctor will carefully examine your teeth to make sure they are strong and healthy. If necessary, dental X-rays may also be taken to check the condition of the roots of the teeth and the bones that support them.
Remember, removing enamel from unhealthy teeth can cause irreversible damage.
So if you have cavities, gum disease, or other oral health problems, you will need to treat them first and get your teeth back in good shape. For example, you may need to get fillings, crowns, or gum disease treatment. Once all of this is done and your dentist has confirmed that your teeth are suitable for Enameloplasty, there is no special preparation required.
What happens during the treatment?
This is a very simple procedure. It can usually be completed in as little as 30 minutes. If you are treating multiple teeth, it may take a little longer.
During treatment, the doctor will do the following:
1. Enamel removal: Using a small, rapidly rotating instrument (similar to a small sanding disc), a very thin layer of enamel is removed from the surface of the tooth.
2. Smoothing: The surface of the teeth is smoothed by gently removing small cracks, pits, and fine lines (craze lines) on the surface of the teeth.
3. Interdental shaping: Fine abrasive strips, like sandpaper, are used to remove roughness between two teeth.
4. Checking the bite: Finally, your teeth are checked to make sure they fit together properly and that there are no problems with your bite.
5. Polishing: Finally, the treated teeth are thoroughly polished to give them a beautiful appearance.
The most important thing is that there are no nerves in your tooth enamel. So you won't feel any pain during this treatment. You won't even need to take a numbing medicine. But if you have any concerns or worries about this, talk to your doctor about it. He or she will explain how to keep you calm if necessary.
What are the benefits and risks of having enameloplasty?
As with any treatment, there are benefits and concerns. Let's look at both.
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick results | The treatment can be done in one day, in one doctor's appointment. There is no need to wait for it to be made in a lab like other treatments (like veneers). |
| Less aggressiveness | There is no major damage to the tooth. Only a very small amount of enamel is removed. Therefore, the strength of the tooth is not affected. |
| Low cost | The cost of this is relatively low compared to other cosmetic dental treatments. |
| Painless | There is no pain during or after the treatment, so there is no need to rest. You can return to your normal activities immediately. |
| Things to be aware of (Risks) | |
| Risk | This treatment is completely safe. However, if more enamel is removed than necessary , it can weaken the tooth, cause numbness, tooth eruption, and infection. That's why it should only be done by a qualified dentist . |
Extremely important: Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to trim or shape your teeth at home with nail clippers, a comb, a nail file, or any other device! Doing so can cause serious, irreversible damage to your teeth.
How to take care of your teeth after treatment?
You won't need to rest after this treatment, but you may experience some sensitivity for a few days. So be careful when consuming very hot or cold foods and drinks.
To reduce this numbness, you can use toothpastes that are specifically designed for tooth numbness (desensitizing toothpaste).
Follow these habits to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Do not use your teeth as a weapon (e.g. to open packages, remove tags from clothes).
- Floss between your teeth once a day.
- Visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth checked and cleaned.
When should I see the doctor again?
If you feel any discomfort when you bite your teeth after treatment, or if your teeth are numb for more than a few days, let your dentist know. He or she can make minor adjustments to help alleviate any discomfort.
Take-Home Message
- Enameloplasty is a simple, painless treatment to correct very minor cosmetic defects in teeth (small cracks, sharp edges, or gaps).
- This treatment can be completed in as little as 30 minutes, and there is no need to rest after the treatment.
- There is no pain when this is done because there are no nerves in the tooth enamel.
- Before undergoing this treatment, you should have a dentist confirm that your teeth are healthy.
- Never attempt to straighten or polish your teeth at home on your own. This can cause serious damage.
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