Can The Gaps In Your Teeth Be Closed Without Braces?

Let’s begin by answering this question. Yes. Certain gaps in your teeth can be closed without the use of braces. The technique used to achieve this is composite bonding.

But wait! (you might say). Isn’t that used to improve the shape and shade of teeth?

Correct. However, a lesser well-known use of composite bonding is to close small gaps in your teeth, improving the width and length ratio and balance of individual teeth. This can be performed to address the space between 2 teeth, or indeed 4 or 6 front top or bottom teeth (known as a smile makeover).

In this piece we’ll explore:

• What is composite bonding?
• How it is used to close small gaps in your smile and achieve smile symmetry.
• How it can be an alternative to Invisalign.
• How to find a cosmetic dentist in Leeds for composite bonding.

What is composite bonding?

A versatile cosmetic technique, composite bonding is the delicate and gradual application of composite resins to individual teeth. Using these resins, it’s possible to alter the shape of a tooth, which includes filling in small gaps between each tooth. This is a low-maintenance and minimally-invasive alternative to a corrective process such as Invisalign.

Leeds’ Meliora Dental can offer composite bonding to patients who don’t have severely overlapping teeth requiring orthodontic intervention.

Is composite bonding better than braces for getting rid of small gaps?

This is a good question, and it’s one that our valued patients often ask us. However, it isn’t so much about one treatment being “better” than the other.

Composite bonding and Invisalign address different types of gaps in your teeth. Composite bonding addresses aesthetic-only gaps in your smile caused by teeth being misshapen. This can be as a result of a tooth becoming chipped, though sometimes genetics are responsible.

Meanwhile, Invisalign is generally used when adult teeth have erupted at unnatural angles and are not structurally sound. It is a more comprehensive corrective solution for gaps and tooth misalignment.

What are the benefits of composite bonding?

Composite bonding is becoming increasingly popular for closing small gaps in your teeth because:

It’s minimally-invasive

Composite bonding is a one-appointment process and doesn’t involve any specific ongoing aftercare. By contrast, post-Invisalign you will need to wear a retainer to stop your teeth from moving out of position in the future.

It looks completely natural

Over the past decade, composite resins have been developed to further mimic the translucency of real tooth enamel. In short, the end result looks more tooth-like than ever.

The bioactivity of composite resin has also been optimised to help resist dental issues such as decay. Composite bonded teeth are becoming increasingly biologically harmonious with natural tooth structure.

Affordable

Composite bonding is one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments out there. Here at Meliora Dental, we offer competitive rates for composite bonding, as we believe there should not be a financial barrier to entry when it comes to beautifying one’s teeth and feeling confident.

Am I suitable for composite bonding?

Your suitability for composite bonding will depend on the reason for the small gaps present in between your teeth.

Patients who have developed gaps as a result of bite issues of periodontitis are not suitable for composite bonding. Composite bonding can be performed by a cosmetic dentist in Leeds (such as one of our team here at Meliora Dental) when the need for treatment is to close minor gaps in your teeth.

Should we identify gum disease or malocclusion (bite problems) as the reason for gaps in your teeth, our diligent team will explain the suggested next steps to address these issues.

It may be that if you are more suited to Invisalign, (Leeds has plenty of Invisalign providers, but here’s why you should pick us) we can look at booking you in for a no-obligation Invisalign consultation. Dr Kunal Rai will be able to forecast how your teeth will look after treatment, using ClinCheck software to pre-track your tooth’s movements during treatment.

This technology gives us clinical insight which facilitates complete predictability at the end of treatment.

Finding a cosmetic dentist in Leeds: how to go about it

When it comes to finding a private dentist, Leeds has more than its fair share! Choosing a dental practice is a big deal – after all you’re putting your trust in someone to look after your teeth and to make you feel safe and at ease.

Here at Meliora Dental we take the wellbeing of our patients really seriously – but our friendly team of dentists also have the knack to help you feel at ease. We find a bit of humour can go a long way in making our patients feel comfortable and settled.

So, what makes a good cosmetic dentist?

• The ability to listen carefully and ask the right questions.
• The ability to recognise patients’ emotional concerns when it comes to how they feel about their smile.
• A dentist who gives complete transparency on the limitations of certain treatments.

Before choosing a cosmetic dentist, make sure you check for the following on their website:

• Testimonials – great reviews speak volumes.
• Nervous patients – you can learn a lot from how a dental practice treats its anxious patients. Look for language that demonstrates care, patience and compassion.
• Blog – the blog section is where the practice shares up-to-date news about their services, and their approach to specific treatments and challenges. As a prospective patient, this provides good insight into the day-to-day running of the practice.
• Smile gallery – as the saying goes “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Make sure you check out before and after photos of past cases.

Contact a cosmetic dentist in Leeds

Contact our friendly reception team for a Composite Bonding Leeds Consultation by clicking here.