Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing MI
When you look at yourself in a mirror and smile, do you notice a gap between your teeth? You feel like that space between your front teeth is a huge flaw that makes you stand out from other people. In reality, that unwanted gap—which clinically is known as a diastema—is a minor imperfection, and your cosmetic dentist in Okemos sees things like it all the time. Now for the good news… your dentist also can help conceal that gap. Read on to learn how.
Option 1: Dental Bonding
A dental bonding procedure is arguably the most convenient way to cover an unwanted gap between teeth. Your Lansing cosmetic dentist can complete a bonding procedure in a single appointment lasting about an hour by applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected area, matching the shade to your natural teeth, and sculpting the resin into place. Then, we harden the resin under a special light.
While a bonding treatment visually closes a gap between your front teeth and is a convenient and relatively inexpensive treatment option, it’s far from a permanent solution. A bonding procedure can remain effective for up to 10 years with good dental hygiene, but if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, the material can chip and stain more quickly and may need to be repaired or replaced in as little as two years.
Option 2: Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment straightens teeth, re-aligns them, and can address aesthetic issues such as diastema. For years, getting straighter teeth meant getting braces, but advances in science have presented a new option: Invisalign. This entails using clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Not only are these aligners discreet, but they’re removable; take them out whenever you brush, drink, and eat.
While every patient is unique, generally speaking, treatment time with Invisalign is less—about 12-18 months, compared to 24 or more months for braces. Eliminating a gap between your front teeth is just one of the benefits of Invisalign. Dr. Christine Tenaglia is an Invisalign trained dentist in East Lansing, Lansing, and Okemos.
Option 3: Veneers
Veneers can correct an assortment of different aesthetic issues simultaneously—and concealing diastema is just one of them. Veneers also can be used to alter the appearance of crooked or uneven teeth or to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, or broken. Porcelain veneers are bonded directly to the front of your teeth and, with good dental hygiene, and last longer than a decade in many cases. That makes veneers a more lasting solution for your unwanted gap than bonding.
At Tenaglia Smiles, we work with veneers made of dental porcelain. This is the same material used to fabricate our crowns. We can match our dental porcelain to the shade of your other healthy teeth, or if you’re looking to brighten your smile, place veneers on all the visible tooth surfaces in your mouth as an alternative to a whitening treatment. Dental porcelain is also durable, resistant to surface stains, and has a similar translucency to natural tooth enamel.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing
You’ve got a gap between your front teeth, and you’re tired of seeing it in the mirror. What’s the best way to correct your diastema? You’ve got options! This is a choice that must be made between you and your cosmetic dentist. Dr. Christine Tenaglia meets with every patient seeking cosmetic treatment for a consultation before work begins. This appointment includes a review of both your health history and dental records to ensure you are a good candidate, discuss your aesthetic goals, and find the right procedure for you. To find out more or schedule your appointment, call Tenaglia Smiles today at (517) 347-6733.