Filling The Gaps In Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry Article

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Filling the Gaps in Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

If you suffer from gaps and spaces between your teeth, you’ve probably become accustomed to hiding your smile from other people. This common dental problem is often hereditary, but gaps can also be caused by eating habits and repetitive tongue movements that push teeth out of position.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Gaps are not just unsightly. Food can easily become trapped in the spaces between your teeth, putting patients at an increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

Treating Gapped Teeth
Thankfully, modern cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology have made it easier than ever to close the gaps in your smile. Most cosmetic dentists now offer several options for correcting gapped teeth. Depending on your budget level and the extent of the dental work required, the best procedure for your needs can vary.

Some of the more popular options include:
• Dental bonding – Using a composite resin material that matches that natural color of your teeth, dental bonding can fill gaps and repair misaligned teeth, providing patients with a straighter, more seamless smile. This quick, affordable option is a good alternative to more expensive and involved treatments, such as porcelain veneers.

• Porcelain veneers – These custom-made porcelain shells can be placed over misshapen or damaged teeth to completely re-shape your smile, dramatically improving its appearance and restoring much of its lost functionality. Veneers are more long-lasting than dental bonding, and have a more natural, stain-resistant aesthetic that is indistinguishable from real teeth.

• Invisalign™ – If gaps and spaces appear throughout your mouth, your entire smile can be re-aligned using the Invisalign system. This popular alternative to traditional braces uses a series of transparent aligners to progressively move your teeth into a more ideal position. The aligners can be removed when you need to eat, brush, and floss, making them especially convenient for adults.

• Dental implants – If the gaps in your smile are the result of missing teeth, dental implants are the most stable and effective tooth replacement method available. Implants can prevent future bone loss and other health problems caused by missing teeth.

• Dental bridges – Some people do not have enough bone left at the site of their missing tooth to support a dental implant. In such cases, dental bridges are a valuable alternative tooth replacement method. Your new tooth will be anchored in place by two crown “caps” on your adjacent teeth.

An experienced cosmetic dentist can recommend the procedure that is best for you after a thorough examination and consultation.

The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Some people mistakenly assume that cosmetic dentistry is only concerned with the appearance of teeth, when in fact it integrates and overlaps with general dentistry in virtually every area. The majority of cosmetic dental treatments are designed to improve the functionality and health of your smile alongside its appearance, strengthening weak teeth and correcting misshapen/misaligned smiles with a variety of techniques.

If you would like more information about how cosmetic dentistry can transform your smile, please visit the website of experienced Oklahoma City cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Bass, DDS today.

About Author

Oklahoma City cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Bass offers smile makeovers, porcelain veneers, dental implants, tooth whitening, and more. Please Click to schedule an in-depth dental consultation with Dr. Terry Bass.

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Filling the Gaps in Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry