If you are someone with a diastema or a space between their front teeth, you may not be comfortable sharing your smile or speaking in public. In the event you are looking to close the gap between your front teeth or any other teeth for that matter, you may not need to look to orthodontics for a solution. It is very common for people to have a gap between their teeth and there are rarely health related issues that result from diastema.
One of the safest, least invasive, and efficient ways to fix the gap between your teeth is with dental bonding.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a simple way for the dentist to apply a composite resin to the surface of teeth that can address cosmetic imperfections. The dentist can adjust the color of the resin to match the color of your teeth and then sculpt the resin into perfect shape to make that minor tweak leaving you with a complete, bright smile. In addition to removing or reducing the gap, the dentist can adjust the overall appearance of your teeth leaving you with a smile that is fuller and straighter without any time or investment in orthodontics.
The actual dental bonding procedure is not technically complicated and it can be completed in one visit. You will want to work with an experienced dentist to ensure that their aesthetic approach will give you the results you are looking to achieve. To start the dental bonding process, the dentist will need to roughen the area of the teeth where they will place the bonding material. The uneven surface will allow the resin to attach to the teeth with a strong bond. Then the dentist will shape the resin in a way that will compliment your natural teeth and decrease the gap between them. Depending on the size of the gap the dentist is addressing and the location in your mouth, the dentist may suggest using a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Bonding?
For people who are looking to address a cosmetic gap that does not need orthodontic treatment, dental bonding is ideal to minimize the appearance of the diastema. The dentist will need to review your teeth, their position, and potentially even dental x-rays to determine if the gap is superficial or if it has more serious structural issues. Once the dentist has concluded that the gap is minor and can be adjusted cosmetically, you will not need to worry about the costs associated with different orthodontic treatments, Instead, you will need to review your at home dental care practices as well as your food and drink choices that can affect tooth staining. Depending on your chewing and eating habits, dental bonding may not be the best option offering you long term results.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your smile and are looking to address a gap or multiple gaps between your teeth, take the time to talk to the dentist about your options. You may be surprised at the results that dental bonding can offer.