The Space Between: Treatments for Tooth Gaps
Having a perfect smile can take work. By that we mean proper brushing and flossing as well as some degree of dental work. Here at our Houston dental practice, we offer plenty of cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and advanced dental care solutions that can help you have the smile you have always wanted.
Many of our patients wonder how they can fix the spacing problems and minor gaps between their teeth. Let's take a moment to go over this issue.
The Problems Associated with Tooth Gaps
Tooth gaps are linked to a number of cosmetic and dental health problems.
In terms of smile aesthetics, prominent tooth gaps can cause you to feel self-conscious about smiling, speaking, laughing, and talking around others. This means even your friends and family members.
Tooth gaps can also be associated with dental alignment issues. This could make biting and chewing certain food items more difficult. These alignment issues can increase the risk of teeth grinding (bruxism).
There are, thankfully, plenty of ways for this problem to be addressed.
Dental Bonding for Minor Cosmetic Spacing Issues
Dental bonding refers to the use of tooth-colored dental to improve the overall appearance of the smile. The tooth-colored resin is painted onto the tooth itself, building out the structure in the process. This is a great way of addressing minor gaps between the most teeth in your smile, and the results are exceptional even though the treatment itself is so subtle.
Porcelain Veneers for Larger Aesthetic Gaps
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that are used to mask smile imperfections from view. When it comes to tooth gaps, a porcelain veneer may be used on a tooth or multiple teeth to help close the spaces between the teeth in your smile. With just a porcelain veneer or two, a gap can be hidden from view, and your smile will look pristine, perfectly spaced, and exceptional.
Porcelain veneers can also be used for other kinds of cosmetic fixes, such as masking major tooth discoloration, masking chips and cracks, and hiding asymmetrical alignment and tooth size.
Orthodontics for Serious Malocclusion
When the gaps between your teeth are serious, porcelain veneers will not be enough to address the problem. This is why orthodontic care is recommended as a solution. The use of braces, special spacers, and other advanced procedures may be recommended to close the gaps between teeth, promote proper dental alignment, and help your smile look its very best.
Each orthodontic treatment is carefully tailored to meet your needs and to ensure that your smile looks great and functions properly.
Options for Gaps Caused by Tooth Loss
If you have lost teeth and that causes gaps in your smile, the above solutions will not be feasible for you. In these instances, the best option is to have special restorative appliances made, such as dental bridges or dentures. It's also possible to have dental appliances supported by dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots surgically anchored into your jawbone and gum tissue.
Learn More About Your Dental Care Options
For more information about orthodontic treatment and other means of filling gaps and enhancing your smile, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. Our team looks forward to your visit and discussing these matters in much greater detail.