HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

The procedure that involves reshaping a tooth by grinding away a small amount of enamel is known as enameloplasty. This cosmetic dental treatment is specifically designed to correct minor imperfections in the teeth, such as irregular shapes or slight misalignments, without significantly altering their structure or function. Enameloplasty can also help create a more aesthetically pleasing smile by refining the contour and surface of the tooth.

The process involves careful removal of enamel, which is the hard outer surface of the tooth. Since enamel does not regenerate, this procedure is typically performed conservatively to preserve as much of the tooth structure as possible while enhancing its appearance.

While other procedures listed may involve changes to the teeth or their functionality, such as root canals focusing on the tooth’s pulp, bonding being related to adding material to teeth, or orthodontics addressing alignment and positioning, none of these specifically involve the reshaping of tooth enamel through grinding. This makes enameloplasty the correct choice for this question regarding the reshaping of a tooth.