It was 1979 when I started my Dental studies, and the science of resin (tooth coloured) fillings was in its infancy. One of the great benefits that this now well established part of dentistry confers is the ability for us to modify the shape and colour of teeth without having to resort to much drilling and the pain that often comes with it.

For a patient wanting to have jagged, chipped or uneven teeth remedied, there are several things that a dentist will need to find out first. To start with, the state of the foundations of all the teeth will need to be examined. Like any construction, the more solid the foundations, the more predictable the building work will be. The gums and supporting bone will be looked at and recent x rays will be needed to help check this.

Another important part of the diagnosis will be some investigation into why the teeth are the way they are. Why they chipped, or why they are uneven or crowded. Factors such as the possibility of tooth-grinding (what we call bruxism) or clenching at night, a high-acidity or abrasivity diet, and even a habit such as thumb-sucking may all be looked at to see why the treatment is needed to start with.

A full discussion of the pros and cons of available treatments would be advisable before a decision is made, but, as contouring and reshaping is minimally invasive, it is often an appropriate choice. Here's what happens:

Usually, no numbness is required. If any tooth material needs to be smoothed off the teeth is is normally restricted to the dental enamel which is not alive being almost completely mineral.

Any addition to the teeth can now take place to make them look white, straight and even. Bonding agents are painted onto the tooth surface allowing a very strong bond between the teeth and a resin that looks and feels just like new tooth.

In one simple and painless visit, the patient can be provided with a new smile, from the repair of a minor chip to the full rebuilding of the front teeth providing a confidence-inspiring smile with minimal intervention, simple procedures and relatively low cost.

Learn more about this author, W Lloyd Jerome.
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