Gaps or empty spaces in your smile can be a major source of insecurity or embarrassment. While considered a relatively minor aesthetic flaw, gaps between the teeth can reduce self-confidence for both children and adults, even to the point where some patients hide their teeth with their hand when smiling. The good news is that gaps in your smile can be an easy fix for most patients, depending on the extent of misalignment or asymmetry in your teeth/jaw. Effective solutions include:
- Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers are among the most common and predictable treatments to conceal gaps. Composed of a thin, translucent, and durable shell, a porcelain veneer is placed over the front of a tooth to mask imperfections like gaps, staining, cracks, and chips. This successfully hides gaps between teeth without the need for surgery or a lengthy treatment process. In most cases, veneers can be bonded to the teeth in two appointments.
- Composite Veneers: Composite veneers have a similar treatment process to porcelain veneers, and work in much of the same way. That said, composite tooth-colored veneers are typically more affordable than dental porcelain, but may not be as durable.
- Invisalign®: If gaps are accompanied by a bad bite (malocclusion), tooth crowding, or jaw misalignment, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® may be the best approach to restoring a straighter, more pristine smile. Invisalign® can close gaps and bring teeth into the correct positioning using clear, removable aligners. While this can take months of treatment to achieve the desired result, Invisalign® can be a more comfortable alternative to traditional braces by allowing patients to enjoy an unrestricted diet and eliminating irritation caused by metal wiring.
A consultation with Dr. Libby can reveal the most ideal treatment to give you a more uniform, symmetrical smile. Depending on the nature of your dental needs, our cosmetic restorations can often hide gaps between teeth in no more than two office appointments.
Dr. Libby and our team in Mission Valley provide conservative solutions to minor cosmetic flaws like gaps, chips in teeth, and discoloration. Patients are often surprised by how simple it can be to address gaps between teeth while achieving long-term results. Contact Libby Dental today to schedule an appointment at our San Diego office or to learn more about our services.
