Diastema Treatment in Los Gatos, CA

Diastema simply refers to a gap or spacing between teeth, particularly the front teeth. Diastema can be caused by many different things, such as a thick frenum (skin attached to the lip between the front teeth), childhood habits like thumb-sucking, and misshapen teeth, to name a few things. 

Sometimes, we can rely on orthodontic treatment to close spaces and gaps between teeth, and in other cases, when teeth are shaped smaller than normal, like a "peg lateral," we may need other treatment to fill in the spaces and reshape the smile. 

When there are spaces between teeth, they can act as food traps, which can be difficult to brush and keep clean. If plaque and bacteria buildup, it increases the risks of developing problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities. 

The patient may also feel self-consious about the appearance of their smile with gaps and spaces. Eliminating the gaps between teeth creates a more uniform and symmetrical appearance to the smile that can help boost confidence. 

Your Los Gatos cosmetic dentist offers several options for eliminating gaps and enhancing smiles. Here are a few treatment options Dr. Lin may recommend for your smile. 

Dental Bonding

Dr. Lin combines his skills and artistry to create stunning smiles with composite resin bonding. Composite resin combines fine glass and resin particles to create a customizable material that Dr. Lin expertly shades to match your tooth and blend flawlessly with your smile. He can use composite resin to rebuild and reshape "pegged laterals" to close the gaps between teeth. 

Dental bonding is non-invasive, durable, and can typically be completed during one appointment at our Los Gatos dental office. It also tends to be less costly than other cosmetic procedures. 

Porcelain Veneers 

You might also choose porcelain veneers to eliminate the gaps in your smile. Dental veneers are thin slivers of customized ceramic porcelain that fit over the front surface of a tooth to reshape it and cover flaws. We can use veneers to reshape and resize your teeth, to create a stunning natural smile. 

It typically takes two appointments and a few weeks to complete porcelain veneers since we work with a trusted dental lab to create your new restorations. Dr. Lin will prepare your teeth during the first visit and create temporary veneers for you to wear while the lab makes your final restorations. 

Porcelain Crowns

A dental crown covers your natural tooth entirely, replacing it with customized porcelain replica that allows you to enjoy full function and beautiful aesthetics. Porcelain crowns may also be an excellent solution for strengthening teeth and eliminating gaps from your smile. 

If you'd like more information about what's possible for your smile, we encourage you to contact James Lin, DMD, at (408) 358-2161 to book an evaluation with Dr. Lin.