Contouring & Reshaping What you need to know.

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Cosmetic Dentistry Grants and Tooth Contouring & Reshaping

CDG can help individuals who are looking to adjust their smiles in a minor manner through contouring and reshaping existing teeth. Your smile can be the first thing people notice about you so let’s make it more appealing! Learn more about the program here.

Cosmetic Dentistry Grants is a program that offers financial assistance towards a dentistry procedure at a participating dental office. CDG does not provide free or fully subsidized dental procedures.

What Is Tooth Contouring and Reshaping?

Tooth reshaping (contouring) is a cosmetic dentistry procedure to sculpt and change the shape of a tooth to make it fit in better with the surrounding teeth. This procedure is most commonly used on top front teeth, which tend to show the most when smiling.

This process is often paired with Cosmetic Dentistry treatment bonding.

Contouring and Reshaping Eligibility: Who Can Get This Procedure

Anyone with healthy tooth enamel can qualify for this procedure. Teeth may become weaker if large amounts of enamel are removed, so your dentist will be sure to tell you if they do not find you suitable for this practice. 

There are other procedures that you may qualify for, such as bonding, crowns, or veneers, that your dentist may find more suitable for you.

When You Should Think About Contouring and Reshaping

If your teeth are overlapped, not symmetrical, or have minor cracks or chips, you may want to consider contouring your teeth. This procedure is also appropriate for someone who wants to fix a small overlap or get rid of pits or grooves in the tooth enamel. Also, this can be used for individuals who simply do not like the shape of their teeth. 

If you are self-conscious about little imperfections in your teeth but don’t have the time and money for braces or other treatments, tooth reshaping may be for you! 

Where to Get Contouring and Reshaping

Cosmetic Dentistry Grants (CDG) will help you find a cosmetic dentist in your area that participates in the CDG program, allowing you to get financial assistance toward your contouring and reshaping procedure.

CDG does not provide free or fully subsidized dental procedures.

Benefits of Contouring and Reshaping Your Teeth

There are advantages to contouring your teeth. Some of the most common benefits include:

  • Inexpensive
  • There is no healing process afterward
  • Instant results

How Contouring and Reshaping Procedures Are Done: What Is the Procedure?

To begin, a dentist will examine the parts of the tooth or teeth that you wish to reshape, while at the same time making sure they are healthy enough to do so. Most of the time, tooth contouring only involves the removal of a bit of the outside covering (enamel) of the tooth. No anesthetic is needed for this procedure, but your dentist might need to take an x-ray to ensure the health of your teeth.

The dentist will then mark your teeth as a guide for the reshaping process that will get rid of any possible imperfections. A sanding instrument or laser is then used to shape and mold the surface enamel. The last step is to polish over the changes they made with polishing discs and dental brushes. Reshaping for one tooth typically only takes about 30 minutes, depending on how much work you need.

How Much Does Contouring and Reshaping Cost?

Contouring and reshaping your teeth are one of the least expensive ways to improve your smile. This can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per tooth depending on how much work is needed and the location in which you have the procedure. 

How the Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Can Help You Get Contouring and Reshaping Done

A Cosmetic Dentistry Grant (CDG) is available for those looking to receive a contouring and reshaping procedure. The CDG could cover the partial cost of this. Learn more about the CDG and if you’re eligible to get CDG funding for contouring and reshaping. Apply now!

Risks of Contouring and Reshaping

There are minimal downfalls when it comes to contouring and reshaping the teeth. However, these are the risks and disadvantages you may need to look out for:

  • Limited to subtle and minor changes compared to other dental procedures
  • Temporary sensitivity
  • There is a risk for tooth breakage or decay if too much enamel is removed

Contouring and Reshaping: FAQ

We are asked many questions about tooth contouring and reshaping procedures, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions below:

Is Tooth Contouring Safe?

There is a risk for tooth damage if large amounts of enamel are removed, but overall tooth contouring and reshaping are considered to be very safe procedures.

Does Contouring Teeth Hurt?

Because the dentist is only removing a small amount of enamel on the outside of the tooth, this procedure is usually painless and doesn’t even require anesthesia.

Is It OK to Leave a Chipped Tooth?

No, without treatment from a dentist, a broken tooth is susceptible to tooth decay that can spread to other parts of the body over time. It is best to get it treated by a professional as soon as possible.

Can You File a Tooth with a Nail File instead of Going to a Dentist?

You should never attempt to alter your teeth by yourself. A dentist will be able to shape your tooth to your desired look without causing any unnecessary pain.

Is Contouring Bad for Your Teeth?

Not if you take the necessary steps. You also need to protect your teeth against abrasive substances and remember to brush gently so you don’t damage the remaining enamel.

From Our Recipients

Due to a serendipitous google search for something unrelated I learned about this opportunity and like a dream come true I will have something that I have wanted repaired for years, repaired. It began when I was 7 or 8, I had fallen on my face and my baby tooth was thrusted into my bone pushing my adult tooth up. Over the years of dental surgery and braces they were able to bring the tooth down but I had a lot of other issues that occured and things were never quite right and I did not have the money to repair it. But now I am and feel thankful and very happy. Thank you for your kind help. This will change my life for the better. Thank you.

Elan Ferguson - New York , NY

I am so grateful for Cosmetic Dentistry Grants. I have been so unhappy with my appearance for many years and thought I would never get my smile back! Thanks to being selected for a $7,500 grant towards my implants, I have been given a second chance. I can now begin a new journey and smile again, I have so much appreciation for all involved.

Kara Maldonado - Laguna Niguel, CA

Dear Donor, I wanted to take this time to reach out and thank you for this grant. This will help me out in so many ways. I will be able to afford my costs to fix my mouth. I will be able to feel better about my smile after all is said and done. This will bring back my confidence and make me feel better when I open my mouth and smile. Thank you so much for the help that you have given me. It makes me feel so happy to know that you are helping me with my goal to fix my mouth. I appreciate everything that you have done for me. It is greatly appreciated! Because of your kindness, I will feel like a new man. Thank you so much again for everything!

Thomas Ryder - Elizabeth, NJ

I am very thankful to have been selected for the cosmetic dentistry grant and to Smile Select for helping me to achieve having a perfect smile. For about 8 years now I have grown up with braces on my teeth up until I needed my baby teeth removed, in which once tooth came down successfully and the other did not. Within time there was no progression and I was finally able to have options in getting my tooth back. Which did not feel possible at first. Luckily I overheard on the radio about the Cosmetic Dentistry Grants program and I have never felt so grateful to have been selected for this opportunity. I finally feel I am able to have a choice in getting the full smile I have dreamed of having. Thank you once again for making this possible for me.

Sabrina Reyes - Los Angeles, CA

Thank you so much for selecting me for the cosmetic dentistry grant. It will certainly help with the final cost.

Janis TettLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for the help with getting my teeth worked on. I could not be able to get the work done on my own insurance I have. I have been putting off the work I needed to get done. I am very grateful for the grant. Thank you again.

Mark Williams - Littlerock, CA

Thank you very much for selecting me for a dental grant in the amount of $7,500. I look forward to using this grant towards my dentistry and having a nice smile. I've been so unhappy with my teeth for quite a while and this has given me some hope. Thank you!

Nilda Vincenty - White Plains, NY