I want to get rid of a gap between my two front teeth. I’ve had people tell me that it’s not that noticeable or that it’s cute. I prefer an attractive smile, not a cute one. I don’t want braces because my other teeth look okay. What are my options? Thanks – Carson, Elk Grove, CA
Carson,
Thank you for your question.
What Are the Ways to Close a Tooth Gap?
A cosmetic dentist may recommend closing your tooth gap with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or braces. We will explain the differences.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can reshape teeth and fill in spaces.
If a tooth gap is small, composite bonding is the best way to repair it. Cosmetic dentists apply bonding by hand. It requires advanced training and artistic technique to blend the bonding with your teeth perfectly. A cosmetic dentist will roughen the tooth’s surface on either side of the gap. The next steps include:
- Select a dental composite that perfectly matches your tooth shade
- Apply and layer the composite to match the translucence of your teeth
- Sculpt and harden the composite
- Further shape and polish the bonding to a natural gloss
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin wafers of porcelain that a dentist bonds to the fronts of your teeth. A cosmetic dentist will prepare your teeth for veneers by lightly shaving them to ensure the veneers fit well and look natural. When a tooth gap is large, porcelain veneers can conceal it. Depending on the gap size, your cosmetic dental treatment may affect the teeth on either side of your center front teeth to harmonize tooth shape and size.
Orthodontic Treatment
If you do not like the look and feel of traditional braces, Invisalign invisible braces are an alternative for closing the gap between your teeth. Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made BPA-free aligners to straighten your teeth in half the time of traditional braces. Unlike dental bonding or porcelain veneers, you will not need cosmetic dentistry materials on your teeth to correct your gap. If you continue to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment, your gap will stay closed.
We recommend consulting a cosmetic dentist who provides Invisalign to examine your teeth and discuss your treatment options.
Dallas, Texas, dentist Dr. Claudia Vargas sponsors this post.