Are you wondering how to fill a gap in your teeth? Do you dislike the way your smile looks? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, 25% of adults feel uncomfortable with the appearance of their teeth.
Although gaps between teeth are common, they can sometimes be troublesome. Food can get trapped between gapped teeth, causing sore gums. Gapped teeth can also lead to pockets between the teeth and gums that trap food particles, and this, in turn, can lead to gum disease.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is you don’t have to be stuck with tooth gaps forever. We have an array of treatments such as dental veneers, crowns, and many more that will close your gap and give you a beautiful smile to boot.
So let’s jump in and take a look.
How to fill a gap in your teeth?
There are several treatments dentists use to correct gapped teeth, and in doing so, patients benefit from a smile that is both aesthetically pleasing and healthy. In addition to orthodontic (braces) treatment, tooth gaps can be closed with restorative treatments such as dental bonding, crowns and porcelain veneers. If the space(s) are due to tooth loss, a better solution is bridgework or dental implants.
The treatment we use to fill a gap in your teeth will depend on the type of gap in question. There are four main types of teeth gaps:
- A gap between the front teeth
- Gaps between all the teeth
- A gap between the side teeth and front teeth only
- A gap around the canines on one side
A gap between two teeth is called a diastema, and while this tends to appear between the two upper front teeth, gaps can exist between any two teeth.
Even if you don’t mind your diastema, it’s a good idea to have it examined by a dentist just in case gum disease has caused the gap.
Spaces in between the teeth can also mean that you have an improper bite.
It may not be necessary to treat a diastema, but our dentists will be happy to discuss the best approach to fixing it if a person doesn’t like how it looks.
Here are some techniques that we use for closing tooth gaps.
Orthodontic options
Modern orthodontic appliances can reposition teeth that are crowded or crooked, close gaps and correct improper bites. Some effective options to close a gap include:
- Lingual fixed braces placed discreetly on the inside of the teeth
- Traditional fixed metal braces – these fix practically all dental issues
- Inman removable aligner that safely guides the front teeth into their correct position
- Removable clear aligners such as Invisalign can close small gaps in as little as six months
Dental bonding
If you want a quick fix for the spaces between your teeth, you might want to consider dental bonding. The dentist places a layer of tooth-coloured resin onto the front surface of the teeth and carefully shapes it to close the gap. A special light hardens it. The results are excellent. The gap is no longer there, and instead, the teeth look perfect and blemish-free.
Crowns
Dental crowns are another way that dentists close spaces in the smile. They fit over the entire tooth from top to bottom and are shaped and sized to close the gap. The downside of crowns is that an otherwise healthy tooth has to be modified to accommodate the crown, weakening it.
How to fill a gap in your teeth with dental veneers?
And now for the last option on our list of treatments – dental veneers.
Dental veneers are thin shells or covers that fit over the front surface and sometimes the side of teeth. They comprise of composite or porcelain, and while similar results are achieved, composite dental veneers are not as durable as porcelain veneers. They are, however, a cheaper option and have a shelf life of around 5-7 years.
Our dentists at Beyond Infinity Dental enjoy working with veneers, particularly porcelain veneers, because of their versatility. Not only do dental veneers close gaps in the teeth, but they address the problem of teeth that are:
- Mildly misaligned
- Too big or too small
- Misshapen
- Chipped or cracked
- Deeply stained
Porcelain is an excellent choice for veneers because it has translucent properties similar to that of tooth enamel. Porcelain reflects the light giving teeth their sparkle and an incredibly life-like look.
The procedure for porcelain veneers
As with any cosmetic dentistry procedure, initial consultation at the dental clinic takes place. Our dentist will perform an oral examination to assess the condition of your oral health. If there are any signs of gum disease or hardened tartar, this will need treating by the dentist before you can move ahead with porcelain veneers.
When it comes to porcelain veneers, we believe in involving patients from the outset. Special digital design software provides an on-screen view of how a patient’s new smile will look – Reassuring if you have decided to take the plunge and have all of the teeth in your smile line covered with dental veneers to eliminate any spaces.
Once you have the go-ahead, the next step is to prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of tooth enamel. This process ensures porcelain veneers sit flush within the smile and helps them adhere. A digital impression of the prepared teeth helps create your custom-made veneers.
Once the porcelain veneers are ready, you’ll get to try them on during your second and final appointment. The dentist will make any adjustments at this point, and if both parties are happy, the dental veneers will be bonded securely into place. Hey presto, check out that smile!
Because porcelain veneers are skillfully colour-matched to surrounding teeth, they fit seamlessly into the smile, making them an excellent method of filling in tooth gaps.
So, now you know how to fill a gap in your teeth and the options for doing so, what’s stopping you?
Why not schedule a consultation with the friendly, experienced dental team at Beyond Infinity Dental. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you decide the best option for you. Call us on (02) 8806 3799 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
