Cosmetic Dentistry: Two cases showing how tooth bonding can be used to fill in gaps between teeth.

Dentists have several ways they can close in the space between two teeth (a diastema). One of them is by placing dental bonding. The digital makeovers on this page provide two examples of situations where this approach might be chosen.

Digital smile makeover #1: Closing a tooth gap with bonding.

Dental history and concerns:

1) The primary cosmetic concern of this person is the gap that lies between their two center teeth. (As a point of information, while they may not like the way it looks, from a dental-health standpoint a gap like this doesn't cause any harm. It's strictly a cosmetic thing.)

Cosmetic dentistry solutions:

1) Placing tooth bonding. - This person's gap could be closed, in just a single visit, by placing dental bonding.

And just like with the example above, bonding could also be added to the neighboring teeth so to give his entire smile a more even appearance. (At much greater expense, placing porcelain veneers could create a similar end result too.)

2) Another approach. - As an alternative plan, orthodontic treatment could be used to realign the upper teeth and close the gap.

Although we only have a picture to examine, it seems that the misalignment is relatively minor in nature and therefore might be corrected with a less-involved, simpler orthodontic technique such as Invisalign Express ® (or some other type of removable appliance).

After the orthodontic treatment has been completed, the four center teeth could be reshaped and evened out by buffing them with a dental drill. Or these same types of changes might be made by adding small amounts of tooth bonding.

Digital dental makeover #2: Closing the space between two center teeth.

Here's a case that's similar to the one above, in the sense that either a tooth-bonding or orthodontic approach could be used to close the patient's diastema (tooth gap).

Dental history and concerns:

1) This woman has a gap between her two upper front teeth. A dentist would refer to this space as a "diastema."

It's hard to know if this gap is due to a misalignment of her teeth, or else tooth decay that's formed.

2) As a side note, there seems to be evidence of periodontal disease in this picture. On top, notice how her gums look red, puffy and swollen.

On the bottom, you can see some darkness along the gum line. This is probably tartar (calculus) that's built up and needs to be cleaned off. Because it is there, you can see how her gum line looks puffy, uneven and possibly receding.

Cosmetic dentistry solutions: Closing the gap with bonding.

1) Better brushing and flossing (possibly even using an electric toothbrush) could go a long way toward improving the health of this person's gums, as well as reducing their potential for future tooth decay.

2) Make the repair using dental bonding. - If there is decay present on the upper two teeth, it seems likely that a repair could be made by placing dental bonding (white fillings). And this is the approach that we've illustrated in our "after" picture.

These restorations could close the tooth gap and, overall, give these teeth a more pleasing shape. We've also shown how dental bonding could be placed on the adjacent teeth too, so to create the illusion of more even tooth alignment.

3) For the lower teeth, our "after" picture illustrates how shortening just the tallest one goes a long way towards giving them a more even appearance. This type of minor reshaping can usually be done in just a few moments, without anesthetic.

4) An alternative plan. - An alternative treatment approach for this case might be to repair the cavities with dental bonding and then close the gap between the upper teeth by way of realigning them using orthodontic treatment (braces) (possibly even Invisalign ®).

Overall, this second approach is a good idea and one that should be considered. If it were chosen, the misalignment of the lower teeth could be corrected at the same time. Its main drawback would be one of cost and treatment time.