The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

Does your smile seem uneven simply because your teeth are of different lengths? Fortunately, there are a few options available for quickly fixing the problem. You will need to consult with a cosmetic dentist in your area to determine the best option for your smile.

Contouring

Contouring and shaping is one of the simplest fixes. Your dentist will use a sanding tool to remove small amounts of your tooth enamel and shape the teeth so that their lengths and shapes are more consistent. Once the final shape is achieved, your dentist will polish your teeth. The process is relatively quick and painless with few negatives. Your teeth are almost immediately improved. The only real concern is that you may experience some temporary tooth sensitivity since your enamel will now be slightly thinner. Contouring works best for minor imperfections. 

Veneers

Veneers work well for more severe unevenness. Porcelain caps are created to slip over your teeth. Your dentist will grind down your enamel slightly to accommodate the veneer, and then they will use an adhesive to fix it in place. Veneers are a permanent option so you can not have them permanently removed later. The good news is that they look and perform just like natural teeth. Veneers often require two office visits, one to measure for the veneers, and a second to place them once the veneers have been made.

Bonding

Bonding is the answer when most of your teeth are uneven or if you have some chipped teeth. A special resin is mixed and applied to a tooth that is chipped or shorter than the others. Your dentist then shapes it with sanders and files until it looks completely natural. It is then hardened with a special light. Your dentist then polishes the bonded tooth so that it looks completely natural. Bonding is a durable option that can be completed in a short office visit.

Crown Lengthening

Sometimes the teeth are even in length, but the front teeth look too short due to gum tissue. Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that involves removing some of the excess gum tissue. In some cases, bone may also be removed. Unlike the other procedures for uneven tooth length, crown lengthening has a recovery time. It can take a week or longer, depending on the invasiveness of the procedure, to heal completely. Besides the cosmetic benefits, crown lengthening can help reduce the buildup of plaque and the chances of cavities along the gum line. 

Contact a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information.