Many dental patients tend to wonder about what an odontoplasty is. In today’s era, you have many options to fix a smile you may find bothering. Some readily available methods include bonding, braces, and whitening. Your dentist can help guide you on which treatment is most suitable for your needs. It may seem surprising, but there is another option called tooth recontouring—this process involves odontoplasty. Let us take a look at essential factors you should know that relate to odontoplasty.
What Exactly Is An Odontoplasty?
The American Dental Association defines the process as altering your tooth’s size, shape, or length. It is also known as an enameloplasty. One part of the procedure includes removing your tooth enamel. First, your dentist uses a sanding disc or fine diamond bur to help eliminate enamel from your tooth. This helps to alter its shape. Once your tooth’s length or shape has changed or contoured, your dentist will finely polish the area. After that, the procedure is complete.
The entire method consists of an initial exam to help determine if you are a recontouring candidate. If needed, your dentist may take an X-ray of your teeth at this time. If the recontouring doesn’t need another procedure, you may not need another follow-up visit!
What Exactly Are The Pros And Cons Of Odontoplasty?
There are many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to odontoplasty. Because it is a cosmetic procedure, the results you get are instant. In addition, the procedure will take less than 30 minutes and is a pain-free process. This is mainly because your enamel doesn’t contain any nerve endings.
There are some hindrances, however. Going through the process really only solves minor cosmetic concerns. If your teeth require a significant amount of work to recontour, it is best to ask your dentist about other teeth options. Furthermore, another issue is that you lose enamel, the coating that protects your teeth. Unfortunately, your body can’t regenerate enamel, as there is a limited supply in each tooth.
What exactly is Crown Lengthening?
A crown lengthening procedure is part of an odontoplasty. It is good to know that a periodontist will do a crown lengthening. Going through the procedure helps expose more of a tooth by surgically removing your gum, bone, or both.
Once administered under local anesthesia, your periodontist will expose tooth roots and surrounding bone by making cuts into your gums. In many cases, some bone around your tooth roots may need removal. After, your gums are washed, sterilized, and finally stitched together to prepare for the crown placement.
Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers if necessary. One thing you can do is to put ice on your face for the first few hours after the surgery. You will need to schedule a follow up in the first seven to ten days for the stitches removal. Shortly after, you will need three months to heal your gums before the final crown is placed.
Are you in need of dental services?
If you require dental services, like odontoplasty, you have come to the right place! Mission Bend Dentistry can help make your teeth bright and unique. We are your local dentist in Richmond, Texas; we want to ensure you have a dentist that is ready to help you and your loved ones! Call us today at 832-895-5110 . You can also visit our website at https://www.missionbendfamilydentistry.com/.