Enameloplasty
Enameloplasty is a cosmetic dental treatment that can repair minor flaws and bring more balance to your smile. A dentist removes small amounts of enamel to change the size, shape or appearance of a tooth. Enameloplasty is a less invasive alternative to other cosmetic procedures like veneers. You should never attempt teeth filing on your own.
Enameloplasty (odontoplasty) is a cosmetic dentistry procedure. It removes tiny amounts of enamel to change your tooth’s shape or size.
Enameloplasty is an elective treatment. In other words, you don’t need it to keep your teeth healthy. But you can choose enameloplasty if you want to correct minor cosmetic concerns and bring more balance to your smile.
Other names for enameloplasty include:
- Odontoplasty.
- Teeth reshaping.
- Teeth filing.
- Dental contouring.
Dentists use enameloplasty to treat minor cosmetic issues with your teeth.
Teeth reshaping can:
- Contour irregularly shaped teeth.
- Fix small chips or cracks.
- Reshape pointy teeth.
- Shorten teeth that are too long.
- Smooth out rough edges.
Dentists may do teeth reshaping as a stand-alone procedure. Or they might combine it with other aesthetic treatments like braces, dental bonding or teeth whitening.
Enameloplasty is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures available. It’s minimally invasive — and in the right situations, it can make a significant difference in your smile.
Before having enameloplasty (or any cosmetic dental treatment), a dentist will examine your teeth to make sure they’re strong and healthy. They may also take dental X-rays to check the condition of your teeth roots and supporting bone.
Removing enamel on unhealthy teeth can cause irreversible damage. So, if you have cavities, gum disease or other oral health issues, you’ll need restorative procedures first (like fillings, crowns or gum disease treatments).
Once your dentist clears you for enameloplasty, you don’t need to do anything specific to prepare for your appointment.
During enameloplasty, your dentist will:
- Use a small, rotating tool (like a bur or sanding disc) to remove small amounts of enamel from your tooth’s surface.
- Smooth out any chips, pits, grooves or craze lines (hairline cracks) in your teeth.
- Use abrasive strips (like tiny pieces of gentle sandpaper) to smooth out any rough edges between your teeth.
- Check your bite to make sure your teeth fit together properly.
- Polish your teeth.
Your tooth enamel doesn’t have nerves, so you shouldn’t have any pain during enameloplasty. In fact, you probably won’t need numbing medications at all. But if you’re nervous or apprehensive about your visit, ask your dentist about sedation options to keep you comfortable.
In most cases, enameloplasty only takes about 30 minutes to complete. It might take a bit longer if your dentist treats several teeth.
In most cases, enameloplasty only takes about 30 minutes to complete. It might take a bit longer if your dentist treats several teeth.
The main benefit of enameloplasty is an enhanced smile. If you have minor cosmetic flaws, teeth reshaping can make a noticeable difference.
Compared to alternative treatments like dental bonding or veneers, enameloplasty offers:
- Faster results. Dentists can do teeth contouring in a single office visit. You won’t have to wait on a lab to make restorations like veneers or crowns.
- Less invasive treatment. Alternative cosmetic treatments — like veneers — require more enamel removal. This can weaken your tooth structure because enamel doesn’t grow back once it’s gone.
- Lower cost. Enameloplasty has a lower price tag compared to other cosmetic treatments.
- Painless recovery. Because the outer layers of your teeth don’t have nerves, enameloplasty is a painless procedure with zero recovery time.
Enameloplasty is safe, overall. But stripping away too much enamel can weaken your tooth structure and make you more vulnerable to complications like:
- Cracked teeth.
- Cavities.
- Infection.
- Permanent tooth sensitivity.
When done properly, enameloplasty is gentle and very limited. It shouldn’t affect the structural integrity of your teeth at all. A dentist is the only person who can tell you whether enameloplasty is safe in your situation.
You should have zero downtime after enameloplasty. There aren’t any specific recovery requirements. But you might have temporary tooth sensitivity for a few days, so be mindful when eating extremely cold or hot foods.
Desensitizing toothpaste can help ease temperature-related sensitivity. You can buy it in any oral health aisle.
Practicing these oral hygiene tips will help keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Avoid vaping, smoking and other tobacco products.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools (opening packages or removing clothing tags, for example).
- Floss between your teeth once a day.
- Visit your dentist for regular exams and cleanings.
Let your dentist know if something feels “off” with your bite, or if you have lingering tooth sensitivity. They can make minor adjustments to ease most side effects.
References
- American Dental Association. Repairing a Chipped Tooth (https://yoursmilebecomesyou.com/procedures/cosmetic-dentistry/repairing-chipped-teeth-usa). Accessed 10/18/2024.
- Banerji S, Mehta SB, Wilson NHF. Aesthetic Vs Cosmetic (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37313878/). Prim Dent J. 2023 Jun;12(2):28-29. Accessed 10/18/2024.
- Rathee M, Jain P. Embryology, Teeth (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560515/). 2023 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Accessed 10/18/2024.
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