{"id":4640,"date":"2017-11-29T06:36:22","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T05:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/uk\/?page_id=4640"},"modified":"2025-04-08T17:50:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T16:50:05","slug":"teeth-filing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/cosmetic-dentistry\/teeth-filing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Teeth Filing and Dental Contouring? How Much Does It Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Think you can’t afford cosmetic dentistry<\/a> to fix a chipped tooth or even up your smile? Think again. With teeth filing and contouring you can improve the appearance of your teeth without spending a fortune<\/strong>.<\/p>

Teeth reshaping involves removing a small amount of tooth enamel to fix minor aesthetic issues. It’s a quick, pain-free and cheap alternative to veneers<\/a> that doesn’t cause lasting damage to teeth.<\/p>

So if you have chipped, fractured or uneven teeth that are making you self-conscious when you smile, keep reading to find out whether tooth contouring could work for you. We have information on what the process involves, what the risks are, and how much you can expect to pay for it in the UK.<\/p>

What is enameloplasty?<\/h2>
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The process is quick and straightforward<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Enameloplasty is the official name for filing, shaving, contouring, sanding or reshaping of the teeth. This is normally done to make the smile more uniform and improve aesthetics. Although it goes by many names, the teeth filing procedure is relatively straightforward<\/strong>.<\/p>

A dentist uses a sanding tool or laser to remove very small amounts of enamel from the tooth<\/strong>. Thin strips, a bit like sandpaper, can be used to reshape the sides of teeth. <\/p>

Once the treated teeth have reached the desired shape, the dentist will smooth and polish them so they look and feel good as new. The whole process usually only takes about half an hour.<\/p>

A complete teeth reshaping procedure may involve adding to the structure with composite bonding<\/a> in some parts while filing teeth in other parts. When combined, these two procedures can produce the ideal shape for your smile.<\/p>

Getting teeth filed down shouldn’t hurt, since you have no nerves in your enamel. It’s therefore not necessary to use any kind of anaesthetic for the procedure. However, if you’re nervous about experiencing pain you may ask for an anaesthetic anyway.<\/p>

After teeth filing you will have a thinner layer of enamel, so it’s important to take especially good care of your teeth. Your dentist will advise you on the best type of toothbrush and toothpaste to use to protect your tooth enamel.<\/p>

Why get your teeth filed?<\/h2>
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Are you conscious of how your teeth look?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Teeth recontouring is usually a cosmetic procedure but it may have some practical benefits too. If your teeth feel rough then this can create a surface that encourages plaque bacteria to breed, so filing those surfaces to smooth them may help you keep them clean.<\/p>

Some of the reasons for filing down teeth<\/strong> include:<\/p>