Most people long for the perfect smile, but beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Take gaps for instance. You may have seen them everywhere during childhood and there’s a reason for that. According to research, up to 97% of American children develop a front tooth gap, officially known as a diastema, by the time they reach 6 years old. By the time adulthood hits, however, most gaps close naturally or are permanently closed via cosmetic dentistry or orthodontic procedures. Therefore, the adult diastema total narrows to about 20%. People generally fall into one of two camps regarding gapped teeth: they either accept it or hate it. As such diastemas trend based highly on celebrity tolerance. However, in other areas of the world, a tooth gap may be a beauty or status symbol, signify wealth or luck, or even sexual allure. Americans are usually more focused on the aesthetic appeal or lack thereof. And if you don’t like your gap, your biomimetic dentist in Moorestown can offer a few simple but effective solutions to give you the smile of your dreams.

Dental Bonding and Contouring
If the gap in question isn’t too wide, bonding can be the easiest and most affordable solution to close it. In bonding, a composite resin is applied and contoured usually between the front teeth to conceal the gap. Once it’s shaped and colored to match the surrounding teeth, it’s cured to ensure strength and durability. Composite materials used for bonding are strong but they’re also porous and can stain easily. So certain foods, beverages, and vices can cause permanent discoloration that may lead to replacement bonding. Nonetheless, it’s a good affordable solution that won’t cost a small fortune and multiple treatment visits. 

Invisalign Treatment
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, almost 5 million kids wear braces on their teeth at any given moment. Not everyone has that opportunity, however, and by the time they can repair their orthodontic work many adults don’t want to deal with traditional metal braces. The metal appearance can also be professional and social distractions or deterrents. Fortunately, Invisalign can eliminate those concerns. The clear aligners are custom-made to fit right over existing teeth. As the treatment progresses, the aligners pull the teeth together for a more uniform appearance. This option is often just as effective as traditional braces but offers far more freedom as the aligners are clear and removable for eating and cleaning purposes.

Porcelain Veneers
Looking for that perfect celebrity smile? Porcelain veneers can be a quick, easy and effective way to achieve it. These porcelain shells are customized to match the contour, shape, and shading of the surrounding teeth. Usually completed in two or three visits, molds are made, temporaries are fitted, and then the permanent shells are affixed for a seamless and stunning smile makeover solution. Porcelain veneers are not reversible since a small amount of enamel usually needs to be removed during the treatment. However, when taken care of correctly, they can provide decades worth of confidence. Contact your biomimetic dentist in Moorestown when you’re ready to fix that gap once and for all.