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

asked 4 months ago by healthychick in San Francisco, CA
Latest answer by Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD
Question viewed 250 times
Tags: canine tooth, missing teeth, recommendation, spacing

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

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

Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD
Phoenix Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

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

Gary Nack, DDS
Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist

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

Jay Neuhaus, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist

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

J. Willis Baker, DDS
Wichita Cosmetic Dentist

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

Frank Orlando, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates