We all know the feeling: a special day is coming up (e.g., your wedding or a big graduation) and you want your smile to look your best. The small gaps between your teeth may not bother you the other 364 days of the year, but for this one day you are wondering if there is anything to make them less noticeable or close them altogether. Dental bonding for gaps is a fast, affordable teeth gap filling procedure. It can give you the confidence you are looking for in your smile. Here’s what you should know.

How does dental bonding for gaps work?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can be used to fix gapped teeth. You might be familiar with composite resin as a tooth filing material for cavity, but dentists can also use composite resin as a cosmetic treatment.

To use dental bonding for gaps in teeth, your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the affected tooth or teeth on either side of the gap. This resin can be mixed in various shades to get the closest match possible, especially for front teeth. They then shape and polish the resin, applying a special light that hardens the material and bonds it to the tooth.

In addition to dental bonding for gaps, bonding is a great option to correct the following minor dental issues:

  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Irregularly shaped teeth (i.e. to correct size, shape, or length discrepancies)
  • Receding gums
  • Discolored teeth
  • Cavity (for fillings instead of metal fillings)

Who can it help?

There are no hard-and-fast rules about the size of gap that can be fixed. Your dentist will determine best-case scenarios going by what will look most natural.

Especially for front teeth you want the result to look natural, not just in terms of color but also in terms of proportion. Your natural teeth are usually longer than they are wide, with the width being no more than 80% of the length from gum line to crown. If the gap to be fixed makes the teeth square, or wider than they are long, it’s probably best to consider veneers or orthodontic work if your bite is misaligned.

Dental bonding pros and cons

Of bonding pros and cons, the biggest two pros are affordability and speed.

Dental bonding is an affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure that can be completed in just one visit. This gives dental bonding for gaps an edge over another common cosmetic service, veneers. Veneers can also be used to fill in gaps, but they cost more and require several visits.

In addition, no natural tooth material needs to be removed to fill gaps with dental bonding. Crowns and veneers remove enough of your natural tooth that it must then remain covered forever. With dental bonding for gaps, even if the composite material comes off, it does not require a trip to your emergency dentist to fix it. Retaining as much natural tooth for as long as possible is the standard of care for dentists.

The major con of dental bonding for gaps is longevity. Dental bonding is a temporary fix in that the natural tooth is usually not removed or otherwise changed substantially. Even as a temporary solution, tooth bonding to fix gaps and other cosmetic imperfections can last anywhere from three to ten years.

Problems that affect how long dental bonding lasts mostly come down to the material that is used. Composite resin is not as strong as other materials. This means that it can crack, chip, or break if enough force is applied. For this reason, the most successful (and longest-lasting) dental bonding is applied where there is less force (e.g., on the front teeth).

Another problem that can affect longevity is staining. Composite resin does resist stains well, but not as well as porcelain or ceramic, two materials that are also used in cosmetic procedures.

What can I expect?

The procedure for dental bonding is simple and takes less than an hour to complete. Your dentist prepares your tooth (or teeth) by lightly scuffing its surface. They then apply tooth-colored composite resin to the affected tooth, shaping it to fill the gap.

Your dentist shapes and polishes the material to fit. Finally, they use a special light to help set and harden the composite resin.

Dental bonding aftercare

No anesthesia is needed for this procedure, as there is no opening of the gums or teeth that could cause pain. This means that there is no real “recovery time” in terms of pain. Your dentist may ask you to not eat or drink anything that is potentially staining (e.g., coffee, tea, or red wine) for at least 48 hours. This is because composite resin is susceptible to staining in the first few days after it is applied.

After that, taking good care of your teeth can help your dental bonding last longer. This includes:

  • Avoiding hard or sticky foods
  • Limiting intake of coffee, tea, wine, and soda
  • Quitting smoking
  • Not biting nails
  • Not chewing gum

You may consider drinking staining beverages through a straw. Regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning can also help extend the life of your dental bonding for gaps.

How much does dental bonding cost?

While price can vary depending on things like geography, the experience of the dentist, the dental issues to be fixed, and the amenities the dentist offers, dental bonding is an affordable option in the short-term.

The average cost of dental bonding is usually several hundred dollars per tooth. If dental bonding occurs in conjunction with a cavity, in some cases, insurance will cover at least a portion of this cost.

AZ Dentist is your cosmetic dentist in the Phoenix valley. If you are considering dental bonding for gaps, give us a call today for a consultation!

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