front teeth gap Archives - Coleman Dental

Please tell me I have other options beyond Lumineers and Snap-On smile? I have a pretty big gap in between my two front teeth. I was planning to get Snap-On smile because that’s what my family dentist recommended. I did the x-rays and all the preparation steps and all the info was sent to the company. Then, after all that, the company said I am not a candidate. I don’t want braces at all. So, I have an appointment with another dentist about Lumineers. My gap is between 8-10 mm. I’m not sure that Lumineers will work right either. I’d love to get your thoughts.

-Sharon in Mississippi

Sharon,

Thank you for reaching out before your Lumineers appointment because this is not the way to go for your case. If you went through with it, you wouldn’t be happy with the results. Your gap of 8-10mm is quite large. You are not a candidate for Lumineers. You need to have the gap closed or see an excellent cosmetic dentist to better explore your options.

You mentioned that you didn’t want braces and I’m assuming you are referring to traditional metal braces. Have you considered Invisalign? This treatment uses clear aligners and highly sophisticated computer technology to re-position teeth gradually. Invisalign would work well to close the gap and it works in about half the time as traditional braces. It is much more comfortable too because there are not metal and brackets. From a conversational distance, no one will know you are wearing the invisible aligners. So, this would be a good treatment option for you to consider. You could estimate approximately a year from start to finish, with new aligners being placed every two weeks.

Also, I mentioned having a consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Not just any dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry. Your average family general dentist wouldn’t be the one to look for other recommendations. If a dentist is promoting Lumineers, that is a sign that they are not an expert cosmetic dentist. Most excellent cosmetic dentists don’t choose Lumineers for their patients. There are trademark restrictions that require them to be manufactured in their own laboratory and they deliver results that don’t look as nice as other brands of porcelain veneers. The teeth look dull, and some cases look long and thick. Now, there are other brands of porcelain veneers that may work okay. But, you still may need to have your teeth straightened prior to getting porcelain veneers. You would need to make sure you are meeting with a dentist that knows his or her stuff because it is possible (with an expert cosmetic dentist) to have the gap filled or re-shaped in a way that would look natural and beautiful. But with as large of a gap as you have, it would be difficult for the average dentist on the block.

Some things to consider when you are looking for a great cosmetic dentist would be to first off, have a consultation to see if you feel they are trustworthy. Then, ask them about cases similar to yours regarding working with a large gap in your front teeth. Also, check their credentials and their portfolio of work. Any excellent cosmetic dentist would require extensive training beyond dental school and if they were affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, that would be a good indicator of their skill level.

Good luck and thank you for reaching out. Lumineers just aren’t right for you. So, hopefully this helps you explore other options.

I have been living with this annoying gap in my teeth my whole life. No that I’m an adult, I’d like to have it fixed. When the dentist told me I needed braces, my heart sank. A 40 year old woman with braces just isn’t what I had in mind. Do I have any other options? I keep envisioning my little brother taunting me and calling me brace face and metal mouth. Please tell me there is hope.

– Sandra in California

Well, there is good news. You don’t necessarily need have a mouth full of metal. There are other options. The next step would be to set up a consultation with an excellent cosmetic dentist. This type of dentist cares about the aesthetics just as much as the function of your smile. A cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beauty.

Although, it is important to note that each case is different. So, it all depends on how severe the gap in your front teeth is and how they are positioned.

Assuming it isn’t too bad, here are some other options you may be a candidate for:

Porcelain veneers are a viable option if the gap is relatively small. It will give the illusion of straight teeth, without having to endure the inconvenience of orthodontics. This cosmetic dentistry treatment requires a high sill level to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. So be sure you research the cosmetic dentist’s credentials and ask to see cases similar to yours. Porcelain veneers require a tiny portion of the natural tooth to be removed to allow for a seamless fit.
Dental bonding is another option. This treatment involves bonding composite directly to the tooth. It will require that the tooth bonding be redone regularly to keep it looking beautiful. Although, it may not be the best fit if the gap is quite large. Yet, it is worth a discussion with your cosmetic dentist.
Invisalign is another alternative to traditional braces. It uses sophisticated computer technology to create clear plastic aligners that gradually re-position teeth to the correct positions. Patients love Invisalign.

Hopefully this gives you some hope that you do have options beyond metal braces. Just be sure to select a cosmetic dentist with extensive training and credentials and that you feel you can trust.

Thank you for your question.

How do I close my big gap in my teeth? Anything other than Lumineers?

Are there any other options to fix the gap in my teeth?