Teeth Bonding for Gaps Between Your Front Teeth

But if you have a gap between your teeth and would like a safe, effective, and efficient way to remove it, teeth bonding might be your best solution. It's a great way to camouflage an undesirable space in your smile. Let's go over what dental bonding for gaps in teeth is, what the procedure is like, and who the ideal candidate is.

Teeth bonding is a cosmetic dental treatment that makes use of a tooth-colored composite resin. It's used for many dental issues, from a chipped or cracked tooth to a gap or discolorment you're unhappy with. Your dental professional can carefully sculpt this resin into the appropriate shape and size to cover the gap between your front incisors, leaving you with a straighter looking smile!

The procedure itself is straightforward, and your dental professional can do it in one visit. The first step in tooth bonding will be to roughen the gap area so that the bonding material will adequately stick to it. Depending on the severity of the gap, your dental professional may opt to numb the area to ensure you don't feel anything.

Once your dental professional prepares your teeth for adhesion, they will apply the composite resin bonding. This material has a putty-like texture that allows your dental professional to shape and mold it while it's already in your mouth. When your dental professional is satisfied with how it looks on your front teeth, they will use ultraviolet light to harden the bonding in place. The bonding material is then polished to prevent it from irritating the inside of your lips. Once they've shaped the resin to a smooth surface that you can easily bite down with, you're all done!

For some people, bonding is just what they need to close a cosmetic gap between their two front teeth. But it's not a substitute for orthodontic treatment. As noted by Medical News Today, the cause and severity of a person's diastema will determine if bonding is the best course of treatment. Other solutions for gaps between teeth include braces, veneers, implants, and even surgery. If you have other dental problems in addition to your gaps – such as crooked or crowded teeth or a misaligned bite – your dental professional will recommend you see an orthodontist.

But suppose your only dental problem is a small gap between your two front teeth. In that case, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, and your dental professional can consider closing the gap with this standard bonding procedure. You should always feel free to bring up the topic of tooth bonding to your dental professional if you feel self-conscious about the gap between your front teeth or if you're just curious about it. They will be able to guide you to the appropriate treatment option.

If your dentist tells you your gap is appropriate for bonding, there are still a few things to consider before undergoing treatment. Some personal habits may make bonding a less desirable treatment for you, so make sure to discuss any of the following concerns you may have with your dental professional:

First, the bonding material is porous, so if you smoke cigarettes or drink coffee regularly, the composite resin may become stained and take on a yellow appearance. If you're concerned about staining, your dental professional may instead recommend closing your gap with porcelain veneers, which don't stain as easily. Nevertheless, your natural teeth can become discolored, so to keep them consistent with your veneers, incorporate a whitening toothpaste into your home-care routine.

Another consideration is that the bonding material isn't as strong as your natural teeth. This means people who bite their fingernails or chew on pens may chip the bonding material. We also recommend avoiding biting down on hard and sticky snacks with your front teeth. Bonding can last up to ten years, but you may find you need repairs sooner than usual if you have a biting habit.

Despite these considerations, teeth bonding is an excellent solution to cosmetic gaps between your teeth. Even if you decide that bonding isn't suitable for you, how you care for your teeth in terms of staining and chewing habits is always good to consider. You should feel comfortable speaking with your dental professional about teeth bonding as an option and be honest about your daily habits and goals. Teeth bonding for gaps may be a suitable treatment for you, and if not, there are other treatments, like orthodontics, that could better fit your unique needs!

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.