What Are My Options for Gaps in My Smile?

If you have gaps in your smile, you may want to seek cosmetic treatment. For some people, they choose to close the gaps in their smiles for aesthetic reasons. If so, make an appointment for a consultation with your dentist. However, many people are satisfied with the way their smile looks. That’s okay! You should be aware that there are some dental issues that accompany gaps in your smile. 

For example, gaps in your smile can make it hard to clean your teeth properly. This can lead to poor oral health. Excess spacing in your teeth can make it difficult to remove plaque from between your teeth. You will have to take extra care to brush and floss your teeth. 

Your dentist can offer you several options to close the gaps between your teeth. Your treatment option will depend on the severity of the gaps in your smile.

Smile with gaps in the teeth before and after cosmetic treatment dentist in Allentown Pennsylvania

Invisible Braces

One way to close the gaps in your teeth is to use invisible braces. These are thin plastic trays that gently shift your teeth into alignment and closer together. Rather than using traditional metal braces, your dentist will design a custom set of trays. About every two weeks, you will transition into the next set of aligners. Along the way, the gaps between your teeth will close as well as straighten any misaligned teeth. 

Many patients love the convenience of invisible braces. Compared to other orthodontic methods, you don’t have to change your diet. You simply remove your aligner trays before you eat. Additionally, keeping a solid oral hygiene routine is much easier. You don’t have to try to brush and floss around bulky metal braces. 

Tooth Bonding

If you only have small gaps between your teeth, your dentist may recommend tooth bonding. Tooth bonding is a composite resin that your dentist will mold to your teeth. This process is great for patients with mild gaps in their front teeth. In just one session, your dentist can close the gap between your teeth, enhancing your smile and your oral health. Due to its flexible nature, your dentist can quickly mold your smile to perfection (or close to it). 

Dentists use tooth bonding for a variety of cosmetic procedures, including teeth whitening and lengthening of smaller-than-average teeth. 

Porcelain Veneers

If you have larger gaps in your smile and want to avoid braces, you can talk to your dentist about porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that your dentist will place on the front surfaces of your teeth. Unlike the other cosmetic procedures, your dentist will need to remove a small layer of your enamel. This is because porcelain veneers require a seamless finish to set properly. 

In addition to closing the gaps between your teeth, porcelain veneers can fix chipped or discolored teeth. 

Unlike your natural teeth, porcelain is more resistant to staining. This means that you can enjoy more of your dark-colored treats and not risk diminishing your white smile.