Porcelain Veneers for Gaps
Cosmetic blemishes in the “smile zone” can be a source of embarrassment. Dr. Everett E. Heringer believes that everyone deserves an attractive smile. To transform your smile from blemished to beautiful, he can customize a porcelain veneer treatment that helps you realize your personal and cosmetic goals.
One common cosmetic problem that porcelain veneers can address is gapped teeth. During your visit to our dental practice, which serves Bismarck, ND, and Mandan, ND, you can have veneers fitted to fill in the gaps in your smile and deliver results that will give you something to really smile about.
What Are My Treatment Options for Closing Gaps?
When it comes to closing gaps between teeth, many people are familiar with orthodontic treatment options. Braces and clear aligners can reduce spaces between teeth, but the treatments often require several months or even a few years to complete. Orthodontic treatments require regular visits to see the dentist, dietary restrictions, and periods of discomfort as teeth are gradually moved into better alignment.
For minor cosmetic issues, including gaps, Dr. Heringer can use dental bonding to close gaps. Bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin. Dr. Heringer can artfully place bonding to fill in gaps, but the treatment usually lasts for only a few years.
Porcelain veneers offer many benefits that orthodontic treatment and bonding do not. They are a long-term solution for gaps, and the treatment can usually be completed with two visits to our dental office.
How Do Veneers Fix Gaps?
Veneers are an ideal treatment for diastemas (gaps between front teeth) and other spacing issues. The porcelain shells are customizable. Dr. Heringer will place two porcelain veneers (one of either side of the gap) during your cosmetic treatment in Bismarck. To address the gap, each veneer will be fabricated to be slightly wider than the natural tooth it rests on.
Once the veneers are cemented in place, the extra width will fill in the gap in your smile. The results are so natural looking that few people if any will be able to tell that you ever had a gapped smile.
Treatment Overview
Porcelain veneers require at least two visits to our Bismarck dental practice. We will explore these steps in more detail below.
Prepping Your Teeth
During your first visit, Dr. Heringer will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. This straightforward procedure is performed after local anesthesia has been administered. Prepping allows Dr. Heringer to place your veneers in a natural position and flush with the surface of adjacent teeth. Without prepping, the veneers would protrude.
Impressions and Fabrication of Your Veneers
Once your teeth are ready, impressions will be made, and you will be fitted with temporary veneers.
Dr. Heringer will communicate with a trusted laboratory to ensure that your new veneers are fabricated to specifications that allow the gap in your smile to be closed once the veneers are placed.
Final Veneer Placement
Once the custom shells arrive at our office, your final appointment will be scheduled. Dr. Heringer will make sure that you are completely satisfied with the look and fit of your veneers before he cements the porcelain shells in place. There is no recovery period needed for porcelain veneers.
Learn More about Porcelain Veneers
If gaps, spaces, or other cosmetic issues are keeping you from a confident smile, porcelain veneers could be a solution for you. To explore your treatment options, schedule a visit with Dr. Heringer. Contact us online or call us at (701) 255-4850.
