Orthodontic treatment to close spaces between teeth can either be very straightforward, or impossible, depending upon the nature of your bite. Generally, closing spaces involves retracting the teeth inward with orthodontic force, either braces, Invisalign, or a retainer. Therefore, if your upper teeth protrude beyond the lower teeth, retracting the upper teeth will both lessen the spacing, as well as reduce the overbite. If both your upper teeth and lower teeth have spacing, then they can be simultaneously retracted. In both the above scenarios, Invisalign is as effective as braces. However, if you have upper spacing but no lower spacing, or overbite (where the edges of the upper teeth are near contact with the edges of the lower teeth) then upper space closure might result in an underbite. In cases such as these, the placement of porcelain laminates, also known as veneers, is often the best option. Keep in mind that porcelain veneers are always an alternative to orthodontic space closure. They are conservative, as the underlying natural tooth need only be mildly roughened. However, if your teeth are already normal width, or slightly wide, the veneers would only make the teeth wider as the gaps are closed. Conversely, patients with gaps between their teeth often have narrow, unflattering teeth, so in certain cases, laminates will yield a more impressive result than orthodontic treatment. In some cases of severe spacing, orthodontic treatment is performed prior to veneer placement.

Dr. Goodman is a Certified Invisalign® Provider