Fully closing in the gap between two incisors by placing crowns.

This page's digital makeovers illustrate how "tooth gaps" can be filled in by placing dental crowns.

Case issues and concerns:

When you first look at this smile, you probably most notice:

The irregular biting edges of the teeth. (This type of damage is often due to a tooth grinding habit. In fact, the wear shown here is characteristic for that.)
The relatively large tooth gap between the upper central incisors. (Dentists refer to this type of space as a "diastema.")

Other than that, these teeth look pretty nice.

Their coloration is reasonable and the gum tissue gives the impression of being healthy.
There is some minor crowding of the lower teeth but, as you will read below, that appearance can be improved upon fairly easily.

Closing a diastema is elective dentistry.

We might also add that a diastema, even one as large as this one, is a non-issue when it comes to dental health. Choosing to close have one closed in is simply a decision based on cosmetic appearance.

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A smile with that has a large diastema and worn tooth edges. A smile with that has a large diastema and worn tooth edges.
The smile after placing dental crowns and tooth bonding. The smile after placing dental crowns and tooth bonding.

Photo submitted by website visitor.

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Treatment solutions:

1) Crowns for the upper teeth. -

Placing dental crowns would be one way of both closing this person's diastema and straightening out the biting edges of their upper center teeth.

In regard to closing in the tooth gap, the idea is that the dental crowns for the two teeth framing this space are made wider, so when they are placed the gap is filled in. At times, this type of approach can result in teeth that look oversized but, as our "after" picture shows, with this case the results seem wide but reasonable.

In our "after" picture you can see just a little bit of space remaining right at the gum line. It could be filled in too but doing so would make it harder to remove dental plaque from between these teeth. The dentist and patient together would have to decide if that tradeoff is worth the added risk.

2) An alternative approach. -

It could be possible to get the same cosmetic end result by placing porcelain veneers or else tooth bonding. For the most part, this choice would be based on how much restoration strength is needed.

If the notching of the biting edges of the teeth has been caused by tooth wear (which we assume it has), then dental crowns would make the best choice. Crowns are the strongest and most lasting type of dental restoration. The possible alternatives would be comparatively more prone to breakage and wear.

3) Improving the look of the other teeth. -

Our "after" picture simulates how the minor irregularities of the biting edges of the remaining teeth could be corrected by placing white fillings (dental bonding). Additionally, if the patient felt that the minor spacing between the lower teeth was offensive, it could be closed in by placing bonding too.

Closing spaces between teeth:
- Closing tooth gaps using porcelain veneers.
- Closing tooth gaps using dental crowns.
- Applications for tooth bonding.
Other cosmetic issues:
- Whitening teeth with deep stains.
- Gum tissue concerns with crown and veneer placement.
Orthodontic cases:
- Straightening teeth - Braces vs. Crowns.
- Straightening teeth - Braces vs. Veneers.
Repairing damaged teeth:
- Repairing teeth worn from tooth grinding.
- Repairing tooth wear due to a deep overbite.
Other ways to find cases:
- All digital makeovers by category.
- All digital makeovers by title.
Cosmetic Dentistry: Home

Input from site visitors.

Emily Doughty

Mon, 09/07/2015 - 09:22

teeth

My to front teeth have a large gap in between them, and it has been there for a while. The orthodontist I went to said it was the largest he had seen, but when i tried to get braces he then told me my teeth were not at the point that was serious. Any suggestions or solutions to fully close it for good?

Staff Dentist -...

Mon, 09/07/2015 - 22:05

Emily

Your question doesn't contain much information. Just from the way certain parts of it are phrased, we're guessing you are fairly young.
If so, spaces between teeth sometimes close in (at least somewhat) as additional permanent teeth come in. So possibly your orthodontist felt that at this point they should wait and see what happens before beginning treatment.
The only other way to close a large diastema is by placing crowns or porcelain veneers (as discussed above). That type of procedure isn't usually performed until the patient reaches age 18 or so (a point when most jaw growth has taken place).

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