Is Dental Contouring & Bonding Right For Me?

If you have an uneven smile you might be interested in various cosmetic dental procedures that can help even out your teeth and make things look more symmetrical. Here at Two Rivers Family Dentistry in Lisbon, we provide a variety of cosmetic dental services that are designed to help handle a variety of dental aesthetic issues including crooked teeth, asymmetrical teeth, and stained teeth. Two procedures that are often used to handle asymmetrical teeth are Dental Bonding and Dental Contouring. In this article, we will cover what these procedures are, what they do, and whether or not they are right for you. 

What Are Dental Bonding and Dental Contouring

Dental bonding and dental contouring are often said in the same sentence, because they are complementary procedures. Contouring is the process of removing small amounts of a tooth to affect the tooth’s shape, size, or length. By contrast, dental bonding works by adding dental materials that can effect the shape, size, or length in the opposite direction. A goal of many cosmetic dental services is to try and make teeth look more even and symmetrical. In many cases, contouring and bonding are done in tandem to achieve this. 

Am I A Good Candidate For Dental Contouring?

The best way to know what cosmetic dental procedures are right for you is to go to a cosmetic dentist that offers a wide variety. For instance, we provide full smile makeovers here at Two Rivers Family Dentistry. The term smile makeover simply refers to our process of determining what cosmetic procedures are best suited for your smile based on your goals and your oral health. For example, a dentist might suggest x-rays before dental contouring. Since this procedure requires the removal of tooth enamel, it is important to make sure your teeth have adequate tooth enamel before beginning this process. While dental bonding is adding more material, dental contouring might be impossible because of a lack of enamel due to dental decay. This is why it is important to see a cosmetic dentist that can walk you through various treatment options. 

What Other Cosmetic Dental Options Are There?

Another thing to consider is alternative cosmetic dental procedures that might be better suited. For example if you are looking to address an issue with staining, cracks, or tooth shape, one option might be dental veneers. A dental veneer is a false front for your teeth that can cover your tooth and hide a crack, stain or other issue with your tooth. 

Set Up A Dental Appointment in Maine

If you live in the southern Maine area and are looking to see a dentist, we would be happy to help. We work with patients of all ages. Give us a call or use our online form for more information.