I have a large tooth gap. My dentist said it was 8mm wide. I feel I am too old for braces, so my dentist is suggesting I get Lumineers. It’s pretty expensive. Do you think Snap-on smile will work for me?
Tim
Dear Tim,
Snap-on Smile is not a permanent fix. It’s a piece of acrylic that will snap over your teeth. It’s useful for a temporary situation but will look average, not stunning. I don’t think you’ll be satisfied with it in this situation.
I’m not going to recommend you get the Lumineers either. The gap you mentioned of 8mm is large enough to fit another tooth in. Unless you have one of the top cosmetic dentists in the country, like the million-dollar ones the celebrities use, this could end up a disaster.
I don’t think your dentist is qualified to do this. He’s recommended Lumineers, which is often advertised to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. This is not a brand the best cosmetic dentist would recommend. They have quite a few limitations.
Don’t get discouraged. I have a solution for you, and it is way more affordable than Lumineers.
Invisalign—the Alternative to Braces
You said you are too old for braces. I understand that. Most adults would not want a mouthful of metal wires and brackets. Fortunately, modern technology has changed all of that. My suggestion is you get invisible braces. The most well-known brand of these is Invisalign. They use clear aligners to straighten your teeth instead of the metal you get with traditional braces.
There’s a hidden benefit to these too. The aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This will allow you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. It’s like getting a two for one smile makeover.
This blog is brought to you by Libertyville, IL Dentist Dr. David Potts.