What's the Best Way to Improve my Slightly Gappy Upper Smile? I'm Missing L Canine Tooth. (photo) Dentist Answers, Tips
Smile Makeover: Q&A
Ask a Question

What's the Best Way to Improve my Slightly Gappy Upper Smile? I'm Missing L Canine Tooth. (photo)

L upper canine tooth grew out high above gum line -> dentist pulled it out.. Thus, leaving me w/ spaces b/t the 2 front teeth & spaces b/t the front teeth & lateral incisors; arched R side but dented L side; shifted to L side. Would like to fix the front gap & even out the edges of the incisors for a more tight even smile. Bonding? Invisalign? Have a big smile, just cant say it's a big, beautiful one. Would luv a smile makeover for 30th bday!

5 Doctor Answers | Asked by healthychick in San Francisco, CA
+1

Dental Implant and Orthodontics for a missing Canine

Unfortunately, the extraction of your canine tooth probably was not the ideal treatment. Ideally orthodontics should have been performed to create space for your canine and the canine then brought into the arch. The canine is probably the most important tooth in the arch to create proper form. From your photo your midline appears to be off form the lack of symmetry. The ideal treatemtn at this time would be orthodontics to move your teeth to recreate the need space... more
+1

Consult an Orthodontist

In my opinion this is a "team effort" case. I believe that ideally you should see an orthodontist to correct the cant of your smile, align your teeth and re-establish a space for a canine implant restoration. Generally, first premolars do not function well in the canine postion as they were not designed to withstand the chewing forces that a canine is designed for. You will also need to see a periodontist before the braces come off to evaluate the implant site and... more
+1

How to improve a Gappy Upper Smile

As you correctly pointed out, you have the gaps as a result of your upper left canine extraction. That is also the reason your midline has shifted to the left, but even more important, your teeth are "canted" to the left as well. That means they are slanted slightly off from the vertical. Orthodontics can help improve some of the spacing and canting issues, but it cannot address the fact that you are missing a canine on one side only. A smile looks beautiful when it is symmetrical... more

You might also like...

Real Stories

Mini Dental Implants and Crowns - Hickory, NC

I was able to have 2 mini dental implants and 2 crowns for my front two top teeth to get...

Before + After Photos

View 111 Smile Makeover photos
+1

Gap solution

Your teeth seem to be in good shape so i feel you would benefit the most from orthodontics. It is not what people want to hear but to prep and alter enamel that is in good shape is not recommended. the incisal plane discrepancies and spacing issues make doing bonding a very difficult and unreliable outcome unless the dds is very skilled. porcelain restorations to alter the spacing issues would be esthetically better but you are irreversibly changing the teeth which brings me back to the... more
+1

I recommend braces/invisalign to fix spaces with your smile

I would recommend seeing a cosmetic dentist in conjunction with an orthodontist. Besides spacing, your smile is canted/off to the left and everything is angled as well. The best approach is to see where your own natural teeth can be moved first and then finish with bonding/veneers as needed. You are young, try to put your natural teeth where they should be and then determine how to make it perfect after that. This should all be discussed and determined prior to doing... more
Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok