A Cosmetic Dentist Can Close Gaps in Your Teeth

As a cosmetic dentist in Irvine, we correct a variety of challenges that people have with their teeth, among them closing unsightly gaps. This is a fairly common problem to have. Many people end up with gaps in between their teeth due to the timing of when their baby teeth fell out and the other teeth subsequently moving out of their intended position. For others, this is simply how their teeth formed. Regardless of why the gap exists, it can detract from a beautiful smile and make a person embarrassed to smile fully.

Whether you have several small gaps or a few large ones, we can help. In our dental office, we have numerous tools to correct cosmetic issues with your teeth and this is simply one of them. Many people mistakenly think that they need to wear braces to close gaps between their teeth. While this is certainly an option, it is not the only option. Our solutions are faster and less obvious while producing similar results.

The solutions we use to close gaps in between your teeth

As a cosmetic dentist, we can use both dental veneers and dental crowns to close the gaps in between your teeth. The exception is if these gaps are actually caused by missing teeth, in which case a dental bridge or dental implants are preferable.

The process of closing the gap

When you visit our office for a consultation, we will determine which solution will work best for closing the gaps in between your teeth. In the case of dental veneers or a dental crown, we will do the following.

As a Irvine cosmetic dentist, we will begin by taking an impression of the patient's teeth. We need the impression to include the teeth that are causing the gap along with the ones around them. We will also take measurements and go over a shade card with the patient. During this time, the patient needs to let us know what shade of veneer he or she wants. We can whiten the patient's teeth before placing the veneers to match them for a brighter smile.

Since they consist of a bleach-resistant material, it is important to undergo the whitening procedure first. Next, the measurements, impression, and instructions will be sent to the lab to create the permanent veneers or crowns.

In the meantime, we will remove a portion of the enamel from the teeth. When closing gaps, the two teeth surrounding the gap will need to have a restoration. In the case of dental veneers, we will remove a portion of the enamel from the surface of the tooth. In the case of dental crowns, we must remove the enamel from all sides of the tooth since a crown surrounds it completely.

Patients will then wear a temporary until the permanent solution is ready to bond to the teeth. We can place both veneers and crowns on the teeth surrounding the gap. Due to the increase in size, we can close the gap in a way that is entirely natural looking. We can complete all of this in a month or less. Patients can visit us instead of wearing braces for two years.