What Can a Dentist Do to Fix Gaps in the Teeth?

Gaps can occur in front or back teeth; however, gaps in the front teeth are a common concern for people. Often, for appearance's sake, people want front teeth gaps closed. Dentists can fix the gaps in the teeth with aesthetic restorations.

Identification

• A gap in the teeth is a space in between two or more consecutive teeth. Gaps in teeth generally pose no cause for concern, as long as they do not interfere with chewing or biting.

Fix

• Gaps are most often closed with a veneer or a composite filling called bonding. This can be accomplished by a general dentist, or a dentist specializing in cosmetic dentistry.

Effects

• Fixing a gap may enhance your smile, but in many cases filling in the gap requires removing some of the tooth enamel. According to the ADA, this is the case when using a veneer.

Veneers

• Dentist most often use veneers to fix gaps in teeth, because they are natural looking and cover the front and sides of the teeth. Veneers are thin, shell-like coverings. They are matched to your tooth's natural color.

Bonding

• Bonding is a process where a tooth-colored substance is applied to the affected teeth. The dentist will shape the bonding material to fit the contour of the tooth, filling the gap.