Fixing Gapped Teeth Rifkin Raanan Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentistry

Treatments for gaps between the teeth include the following:

Teeth Effect Bands:

Teeth Effect Bands wrap around the two teeth that have a gap between them. The band is stretched out when placed on the teeth, it works like a rubber band, the band wants to be in its natural state of being. It doesn’t want to be stretched out, so it pulls the teeth toward one another.

Advantages:

Teeth Effects are affordable, they are clear so you can maintain a professional appearance, doesn’t require a trip to the dentist, and require no tooth reduction or additional application of restoration materials.

Disadvantage:

None found: This is by far the best option.

 

Porcelain Veneers:

Porcelain veneers provide for a natural-looking solution to a broad range of cosmetic problems. These veneers are thin shells of porcelain approximately the same thickness as fake fingernails) that are typically bonded to the front and tops of the teeth. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth structure. To accommodate their installation, only a minimal amount of tooth structure requires being removed.

Advantages:

Porcelain veneers are beautiful, strong (once bonded in place), and durable. Minimal tooth reduction is required for their installation, and they can often be repaired while still on the tooth with bonding techniques.

Disadvantage:

Cost a lot of money. Their placement requires some tooth reduction, and the procedure is non-reversible, making you dependent on veneers or replacement veneers for the rest of your life. Your Dentist must have the technique, experience, and artistic talent to place veneers. This is a two-appointment procedure.

Bonding:

Dental bonding is a three-step procedure. First, the front of the teeth is treated with a mild acid. Next, the plastic bonding material, which has a consistency of bread dough, is placed and sculpted to the desired shape. Finally, the material is hardened with a high-intensity light.

Advantages:

Bonding produces strong, natural-looking restorations, allows for in-the-mouth repairs, and it is a single appointment procedure.

Disadvantage:

Bonding can be very expensive. To accommodate the bonding process, some tooth reduction is required, and it is generally considered a non-reversible procedure that makes you dependent on bonding for rest of your life. Your dentist must have the proper technique, experience, and artistic talent to perform bonding. Note that relatively few dentists have adequate training in bonding.

 

Orthodontics (Braces):

Small brackets are bonded to the front of the teeth, and then wires of varying size connect the brackets to provide the leverage to move the teeth and close the gap(s).

Advantages:

Braces require no tooth reduction or additional application of restoration materials.

Disadvantage:

Braces are very expensive. The treatment time is lengthy – typically 18 to 36 months. The color and shape of the teeth are not improved, and occasionally the procedure may cause tooth roots to shorten.

 

Crowns:

Porcelain dental crowns are made of porcelain, porcelain and metal, or metal only. They are best used in cases where teeth are broken down and need structural support and protection. Crowns may also be an appropriate solution if gaps are extremely wide. If your teeth are intact and you simply want to close spaces, your best choices are bonding, veneers, or orthodontics.

Advantages:

Crowns can be used to repair structural damage, since they are very strong, and they can be fabricated from several different materials.

Disadvantage:

Crowns are not very affordable. Crowns require a relatively large amount of tooth reduction, they are less natural-looking than veneers or bonding, and they might show a dark blue line where they meet the gums, if your gums recede. Porcelain crowns may wear down the opposing teeth.