If you’re concerned about keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you’re in the right place. Jonathan Portner, who provides a top quality, caring service to his patients at the Portner Pittack Dental Practice, is here to pass on his expert advice to ease your worries about the health of your teeth and gums. Here he answers a question about correcting gaps between your teeth…
Question:
"I have a space between my front teeth and they're also a little crooked. Do I have any options, other than braces?"
Jonathan says:
"There are a number of important issues in your question. Firstly I assume the space exists between your upper central incisor teeth. Also, your gums are healthy and you have always had the gap.
If that is the case ,you could have bonding or veneers to close the space. Bonding is a reversible treatment whereby the enamel (outer surface) of each tooth is cleaned and etched, then composite resin filling material is moulded and bonded to the teeth to close the space. The colour of your teeth are matched and the bonded resin cannot be detected. I have placed many of these restorations, they last for many years and involve little if any drilling of the teeth.
Alternatively, as in your case the teeth are crooked, there is a space and perhaps the shape and colour of the teeth could be improved, porcelain veneers should be considered especially If the teeth are either large or badly positioned.
The enamel is usually reduced by about 1 mm ,impressions are taken and temporary veneers are fitted. The dental technician makes the thin but strong veneers, the temporaries are removed about a week later and the permanent veneers bonded to the enamel.
I have patients with porcelain veneers which were fitted over 15 years ago and still look natural. The patients generally forget about their veneers other than brushing and flossing them.
Veneers are an irreversible treatment and it is important that detailed planning is carried out before starting treatment.This could include waxing up the teeth on a model for you to look at and "mocking up" temporary veneers .These snap on for you to take home and show your partner or family. When happy you can go ahead with treatment, copying the temporaries.
Sometimes combination treatments are advisable. You may not be happy with the colour of your teeth and should whiten them first before fitting veneers or bonding.
Braces should also not be completely discounted especially as new treatments include braces on the inside that don't show. To produce a perfect smile, a combination of gum treatments, whitening, braces and veneers may be necessary.
Make sure you see a dentist who works closely with specialists before embarking on changing your smile and ask to see before and after photographs of other completed cases."
You can find out more about how Jonathan Portner can help keep your teeth healthy and the services his practice provides here.
www.portnerpittack.co.uk
020 8349 3924