3 Prosthodontic Treatments For A Tooth Gap That Doesn't Need Braces
Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry dedicated to replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged natural teeth. If you have a gap between your teeth that isn't large enough to require orthodontic treatment, prosthodontics exist that can potentially fix the problem much faster and without a mouth full of metal.
What are some of the prosthodontics treatments for a tooth gap that doesn't need braces? Here are a few options to discuss with your general, family, or cosmetic dentist.
Dental Bonds
Dental bonds work best on small gaps due to the fact that the resin bond is sculpted straight onto the tooth rather than crafted in a lab. The resin is malleable so the dentist can create the desired shape and width but the bond can only stick so far over the sides of the natural tooth. When the bond is in place, the dentist will harden the resin with a light tool.
If you have a small gap, a bond can close the gap and prevent you from losing any natural tooth. Other prosthodontics options require the dentist to shave down the natural tooth before placement, which would make the gap wider and harder to cover.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are lab-crafted porcelain prosthodontics that your dentist will bond to the front of the tooth or teeth that need to close the gap. The dentist has greater versatility in creating the veneer since it is formed in the lab based on precise molds of your teeth and the gap. Veneers can therefore close a larger tooth gap than a dental bond.
You will, however, need to lose some of the natural tooth to dental shaving. But the dentist can make up the difference in the size of the veneer so you still won't see a gap when you smile once the prosthodontics is in place.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are larger prosthodontics that cover the entire exterior of the tooth rather than adhering to the front, which is the case with bonds and veneers. Crowns come in a variety of materials but all-porcelain or metal-backed porcelain are two of the most popular types.
Your dentist will need to shave the tooth slightly but the thickness of the crown can more than accommodate the loss and still close the gap. Crowns are one of the best ways to close larger gaps especially if you receive crowns on each side of the space.
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