Effective Treatment for Gapped Teeth
Spacing issues can drastically compromise the overall appearance of the smile. Misalignment can cause issues such as overcrowding, overlapping, and crooked teeth. Another common spacing issue is gapped teeth.
Gaps typically affect the two center, upper teeth. Cosmetic dentistry treatments address imperfections, such as gapped teeth, to give patients the straight, white, attractive teeth they desire. There are several differed treatments for gapped teeth that can give our Ridgewood, NJ patients a more symmetrical looking smile.
The experienced dentists at Ridgewood Dental Associates are happy to discuss these treatment options in further detail, and help our patients choose a technique that is most appropriate for their unique needs and desires.
Dental Bonding
Patients who would like a quick and affordable treatment for gapped teeth are likely to be ideal candidates for dental bonding. Dental bonding is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that costs less than most other dental treatments, and can be completed in about an hour.
During this procedure, our dentist will apply a tooth-colored compound to the gap of space between the two upper, front teeth. This material is shaped and molded so that it blends in with the two teeth adjacent to the gap. Once the material is shaped, it will look like the natural teeth sit closely against each other, without leaving any gap of space.
When the dentist is satisfied with the appearance of the teeth and dental bonding material, he will expose them to a special dental light that bonds the compound onto the teeth. When it has hardened, the dental bonding material is strong and durable. It can withstand the normal wear and tear of biting and chewing, and should provide patients with a more even and symmetrical looking smile for at least five years. When the dental bonding material eventually wears down, patients can repeat treatment to, once again, close the gap of space between the teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers treatment is more costly and time-consuming than dental bonding treatment. However, many patients still prefer this treatment method because it allows them to completely makeover the appearance of the smile.
Porcelain veneers are indirect restorations that are fabricated in our dental lab before being bonded to the facial surface of the teeth. Each set of veneers is custom designed with the specific needs of the patient in mind. We can control the size, shape, and color of the veneers so that they improve the appearance of the natural smile, while keeping in mind the shape and structure of the patient’s facial features.
Porcelain veneers are especially ideal for patients who have multiple cosmetic flaws that they would like to address. Aside from concealing gapped teeth, porcelain veneers can hide chips, cracks, and fractures; camouflage other spacing issues; and improve the size, shape, and color of the teeth.
In as little as two dental appointments, patients can enjoy brighter, whiter, and straighter teeth.
Orthodontics
In most cases, gapped teeth are an aesthetic flaw that can be effectively addressed with cosmetic dentistry treatment. However, there are times when gapped teeth are the result of more serious malocclusion problems.
If spacing issues put the health or structure of the smile at risk, the patient will likely need orthodontic treatment. Our dentists can discuss orthodontic treatment methods with our patients, and help them find a technique that will best suit their specific needs and desires.
Contact Us
If you have gapped teeth and would like to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry treatment options available at Ridgewood Dental Associates, contact us at your earliest convenience. Our experienced dentists will be happy to meet with you to discuss your dental needs and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
