As with any dental procedure—and despite your dentist’s best efforts—there are some potential risks to tooth reshaping. The enamel layer is very thin—only about 2.6 millimeters—so dentists have to be very careful; problems can arise if too much is taken off.
Tooth contouring may cause:
- Temporary tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
- Increased risk for tooth decay or damage
- Yellowing of the teeth
- Potential recurrence in cases of tooth grinding (“bruxism”)
Don’t Try This at Home
Given the potential for damage to your teeth, tooth contouring isn’t something you should try at home. Not only is a great deal of special training needed, it’s especially dangerous to perform this work on your own mouth. In doing so, you risk damaging your own teeth.