Sciota, Pennsylvania
Diastema — or a gap between the front teeth — is a minor imperfection, but it can be something that impacts self-esteem and someone’s willingness to freely and comfortably smile when happy. Fortunately, advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made this an easy fix. But treatment options vary to fix spacing in teeth, so how do you choose which is best for you?
Today our cosmetic dentists at Quiet Valley Dental in Sciota are hoping to help answer that question by focusing on three ways to address teeth spacing — specifically, a gap in the front teeth.
Dental bonding
Dental bonding is arguably the most convenient — the quickest, easiest and least expensive — way to address an unwanted gap between the teeth. During this procedure, our dentists will apply a composite resin to the affected area that matches the color and shade of neighboring natural teeth. The dentist will sculpt the resin in place, making it become a seamless part of the natural teeth. Once it’s perfect, the resin is cured, or hardened, with a special light. This procedure can be completed in under an hour during one single visit to the dentist.
A bonding procedure is long-lasting — up to 10 years with strong oral hygiene practices. Tobacco products and coffee can cause the material to stain more quickly and even chip, meaning the work may need to be repaired or replaced in as little as two years.
Veneers
Cosmetic dentists use veneers to correct many different aesthetic issues, including diastema. Veneers are versatile and can be used to repair cracked, chipped and broken teeth. They’re also used to alter the appearance of crooked or uneven teeth. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that are adhered directly to a tooth’s surface. With strong oral hygiene, veneers in many cases can last at least 10 years, making them a durable and more lasting solution than dental bonding for an unwanted gap between teeth.
Dental porcelain is durable, resistant to stains and has a translucency that is similar to natural tooth enamel. Our cosmetic dentists in Sciota will match the restorative dental porcelain veneers to the shade of other, surrounding teeth.
Teeth straightening
The role of orthodontics is to straighten and re-align teeth, making it a perfect solution for diastema. When most folks think about orthodontics, their minds immediately turn to traditional metal braces. Thankfully, advancements in dental science have opened the door to a new option for teeth straightening: Invisalign. This treatment involves using clear plastic aligner trays to straighten teeth. The aligners are not only discreet but removable; they need to be worn 22 hours a day but can be removed for brushing, flossing, eating and drinking anything besides water.
Cosmetic Dentist in Sciota, PA
If you’re not confident in your smile because of a noticeable gap in your teeth, our Quiet Valley Dental cosmetic dentists can walk you through every option we have to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Give us a call at (570) 865-7850, or reach us online to schedule a consultation today.
