On some people, a gap between their front teeth works aesthetically. Michael Strahan, Madonna, and Eddie Murphy, just to name a few, own the spaces between their front teeth, but not everyone can pull it off like they can. You may feel self-conscious about a gap being front and center in your smile.
The clinical term for this cosmetic issue is diastema, and the good news is that it’s treatable. In fact, you have multiple options for treatment, namely the following:
- Porcelain veneers
- Cosmetic bonding
- Invisalign
In this post, you’ll learn how these procedures can close the gap and help you feel completely confident in your smile.
Veneers
Applied only to the front of your teeth, veneers can cover the space between your teeth by reshaping them. These ceramic shells are fabricated to shine just like real teeth, which means they are going to look natural.
To prepare the front teeth and make space for the veneers, your dentist will need to remove the front-facing enamel. While your veneers are crafted in the lab, you wear temporary ones. A few weeks later, you’ll return to the office to have your custom veneers attached, correcting the gap.
Cosmetic Bonding
If you’d rather not permanently alter your teeth, cosmetic bonding offers a less invasive alternative. Basically, your dentist applies a matching tooth-colored material called composite resin to the interior edge to narrow the gap. A curing light hardens the resin, and it’s polished to look like the enamel surrounding it. Usually, this treatment can be completed in just one appointment, making it the fastest solution for diastema.
Invisalign
Perhaps the space between your front teeth indicates a larger alignment issue in your smile. In this case, actually moving the teeth and closing the gap may be the ideal choice. With Invisalign, treatment is a longer endeavor, but it involves shifting teeth within the jawbone and making a permanent alignment change that could benefit your bite as well as your facial aesthetics.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
If you feel a little confused or conflicted about which treatment you should pursue, know that you aren’t going to make that decision on your own. Your dentist will look at your teeth, listen to your concerns and goals, and then recommend the procedure that will work best for you.
The gap between your front teeth doesn’t have to negatively impact your confidence. One of these treatments can give you teeth that you’ll proudly want to show in a brilliant, beautiful smile.
About the Practice
Serving the Westhampton Beach, East Quogue, Manorville, East Moriches, and Westhampton areas, Beach Dental provides care for patients with various needs. In addition to cosmetic procedures like veneers, bonding, and more, Dr. Alexis Gersten and Dr. Jason Parli can also help those who need complex care such as dental implants, as well as simple, routine services. If you would like to schedule an appointment at Beach Dental, call 631-325-0731 or reach out online here.