How Can I Close the Gap in My Smile?

As a child, the gap between your two front teeth may have been viewed as “adorable” or “cute,” but as an adult, you might think it is more embarrassing or annoying than anything else. But what can you do about it? While you might know plenty of people who live with this type of issue, you’re ready to say goodbye to the gap and hello to a new and improved smile. To find out what options are available to you, let a cosmetic dentist in Northgate & Green Lake, WA, explain.

Why You Should Close the Gap

Having a gap in your smile doesn’t just make you more self-conscious when surrounded by others. It also makes it more difficult to maintain a healthy smile. How so? When teeth are too far apart, this makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Since bacteria and food particles can become more easily trapped, it can result in harmful acids growing and developing along your teeth and gum line. As a result, you may find yourself seeking treatment for a newly-formed cavity (i.e. dental filling or crown) or gum disease (i.e. periodontal therapy).

By choosing to close the gap, you are lessening your risk for potential dental problems and improving your overall oral health.

How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Help?

If you think only orthodontics or more complex procedures can fix your gap, you’ll be pleased to learn that cosmetic dentistry can actually do the trick. During your initial consultation with your dentist in Northgate & Green Lake, WA, he will discuss which treatment options are right for you. Some of the available solutions that can take care of a gap or spatial issue in your smile include:

Porcelain Veneers: These ultra-thin shell coverings fit over the surface of your teeth and hide various imperfections, one of which is gaps. Your dentist will need to remove a small portion of tooth enamel to ensure the veneer lays flat against your tooth. By having customized veneers placed over your natural teeth, you can effectively hide the space between your teeth with a solution that appears and feels completely natural. This type of cosmetic treatment typically requires two visits to your dentist’s office.

Cosmetic Bonding: If you are looking for a less invasive option than porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding might just be for you. In only one visit, your dentist can use a composite resin that is matched to your natural tooth color and sculpt it directly onto the tooth’s surface. Using a skilled hand and artistic eye, he can effectively close the gap between your teeth using the resin.

Metal-Free Dental Restorations: If necessary, your dentist can file down one of your natural teeth and place a customized dental crown over it. Having it shaped in a way that will close the gap between your teeth, you will enjoy a more uniform smile.

Don’t let the gap between your teeth continue to keep you at home and away from friends and family. Take the next step and talk to your dentist about cosmetic dentistry solutions that can have you saying goodbye to the gap and hello to a more beautiful, healthy smile.