- What bothers you
- Gap between teeth
A gap between the teeth
and how it can be closed
Bokserska 54/U1, 02-690 Warszawa · Mokotów
A gap can be closed by moving the teeth or made optically smaller by building up their edges. The choice depends on the width of the gap, the position of the other teeth and the result we want to achieve.
Mokotów, 54 Bokserska Street, unit U1. Consultation PLN 200, bonding from PLN 1,000 per tooth.
From the smile design to the last check-up your treatment is led by one dentist, whom you choose at the consultation. Before we start work on your teeth, you will see and try on your future smile.
What patients write (in Polish)
Do dr. Mikołaja trafiłam z ogromnym bagażem — wieloletnią, bardzo silną traumą i dużym zakresem leczenia. Sam fakt, że w ogóle zdecydowałam się rozpocząć leczenie, był dla mnie ogromnym krokiem. Dziś, po kilku miesiącach, mogę powiedzieć coś, w co jeszcze rok temu naprawdę nie uwierzyłabym — chodziłam do dentysty bez strachu. Bez stresu, bez paniki, bez odkładania kolejnej wizyty w nieskończoność. To dla mnie coś znacznie większego niż samo zakończenie leczenia. Dr Mikołaj od początku wykazał się ogromną empatią, cierpliwością i zrozumieniem. Nigdy nie czułam się oceniana ani zawstydzana. Ogromnie ważne było dla mnie również podejście pani Ilony i pani Kasi — ich spokój, ciepło i życzliwość sprawiały, że czułam się bezpiecznie na każdej wizycie. Całe leczenie zostało bardzo dobrze zaplanowane i przeprowadzone w ciągu kilku miesięcy. A ja, zamiast bać się każdej kolejnej wizyty, zaczęłam przychodzić z poczuciem, że jestem w dobrych rękach. Jestem ogromnie wdzięczna całemu zespołowi.
Serdecznie polecam Pana Doktora! Jestem bardzo zadowolony z efektu plastyki dziąseł. Mój uśmiech wygląda jednolicie, a zęby teraz są dużo większe. Z całego serca polecam!
What patients write (in Polish)
Jestem bardzo zadowolona z konsultacji u Pani Doktor Anety Buczko. Pani Doktor była niezwykle profesjonalna, miła i zaangażowana. Bardzo doceniam indywidualne podejście — Powiedziała co jest prawdą, a co mitem na temat bondingu oraz pomogła mi również dobrać odpowiedni kolor, tak aby efekt był naturalny i dopasowany do mnie, a nie przesadnie jasny. Cała konsultacja przebiegła w bardzo miłej atmosferze. Zdecydowanie polecam!
Świetny specjalista. Wszystko zostało szczegółowo omówione, leczenie było skuteczne, bezbolesne i pragmatyczne.
What patients write (in Polish)
Przyszłam, ponieważ od dawna czułam się źle ze swoim uśmiechem - szczególnie ze stłuczonym górnym łukiem. Pan Doktor Daniel dokładnie przedstawił mi wszystkie możliwości. Odpowiedział na moje pytania i omówił nie tylko ogólne kwestie estetyczne, ale przede wszystkim aspekty dopasowane do mnie. Ogromna wiedza i doświadczenie. Serdecznie polecam!
Doktor przyjął mnie w gabinecie Allsmiles, który już od samego wejścia robi wrażenie nie tylko wyglądem, ale również wesołą atmosferą wśród pracowników. Wizyta rozpoczęła się punktualnie. Doktor bardzo profesjonalnie i jednocześnie zrozumiale wytłumaczył moją sytuację. Bardzo serdecznie polecam!
Where a gap between teeth comes from
A gap between the teeth, also called a diastema, most often appears between the upper front teeth. It may come from the build of the teeth and the arch, for example when the teeth are narrow for the arch or the lip frenum is attached low. Sometimes a gap appears only with time, as the teeth move – for example with gum disease or after other teeth have been lost.
That is why, before we suggest closing a gap, we check where it came from. If the cause lies in the gums or the periodontium, we treat that first and only then plan the restoration.
How we can close the gap
Not every gap should be closed the same way. We show you the options and pick the right one for you.
Bonding
A gap between the front teeth is most often closed by bonding two teeth — symmetrically, so that their proportions and natural width are kept. In most cases this can be done in a single appointment.
BondingWithout filing: if the teeth are well positioned and we only want to change their shape or length slightly, or close a small gap, bonding can often be done without removing healthy enamel. We add the composite straight onto the surface of the tooth and model its new shape.
Orthodontics
If the position of the teeth needs orthodontic treatment first, we put their position in order first and only then do the restoration. After that kind of treatment bonding most often covers 8–10 teeth, not just the two front teeth, so the whole smile keeps consistent proportions.
OrthodonticsVeneers
We work this way when the teeth are correctly positioned and the veneer only has to add volume – for example with worn edges or gaps between the teeth. We can also use this solution when the patient is happy with the colour of their teeth and does not want to change it.
VeneersWe choose the solution individually at the consultation – based on the width of the gap, the position of the other teeth and the result we want to achieve.
Bonding, veneers or orthodontics
Three different solutions that patients often talk about as if they were interchangeable. They are not the same thing and they serve different purposes.
| Bonding | Veneers | Braces | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Bonding changes the shape, colour and look of the front surface of the tooth | Veneers changes the shape, colour and look of the front surface of the tooth | Braces moves teeth in the bone |
| What happens to the tooth | Bonding no preparation (non-prep) or minimal preparation — depending on the case | Veneers no preparation (non-prep) or minimal preparation — depending on the case | Braces the tooth stays untouched |
| Time to the result | Bonding usually one appointment | Veneers usually five appointments | Braces from several months to a few years |
| Price per tooth | Bonding from 1 000 zł / tooth (composite) | Veneers from 3 500 zł / tooth (porcelain) | Braces treatment priced as a whole |
| Durability | Bonding usually 5–10 years | Veneers usually 10 years and more | Braces the result is lasting, but needs retention. Very often bonding or veneers are still needed afterwards: the teeth are well aligned, but often worn from the time they worked in the bite before orthodontic treatment |
| Can it be undone? | Bonding the material can be removed, but that does not always mean a full return to the starting point | Veneers the material can be removed, but that does not always mean a full return to the starting point | Braces not applicable |
When braces are needed rather than bonding
Many people start orthodontic treatment to improve how their smile looks – to straighten the teeth and close gaps. Braces and aligners change above all the position of the teeth. Getting that position right can improve a smile considerably, but on its own it will not change the shape, the length or the colour of the teeth.
That is why it is worth looking at the smile as a whole before treatment begins. It happens that aligning the teeth and widening the arch opens up spaces that were not there before. Once treatment is over they can be closed with bonding or veneers, correcting the shape and the proportions at the same time.
If the teeth are correctly positioned but worn, chipped, uneven in shape or not the colour you want, orthodontic treatment alone will not change that – an aesthetic restoration may be needed as well. Conversely, if the shape and colour are right and the problem is mainly the position, orthodontic treatment may be enough on its own.
Where the irregularities are small, orthodontics can sometimes be skipped and the smile improved with bonding or veneers. That decision has to be planned carefully, though: restoring without moving the teeth first may mean removing more healthy tissue to make room for the material.
The starting point is always an individual aesthetic plan – only on that basis do we judge whether orthodontic treatment is needed first in a given case. Every smile needs a different approach. When planning treatment we look for the solution that preserves as much healthy tooth tissue as possible while giving the right aesthetics, function and durability of the restoration.
The best result comes from combining aesthetics with correct function. That is why we plan orthodontic treatment and the aesthetic restoration together as a team, instead of treating the two stages separately.
What it costs to close a gap
If it is a single chipped edge or a small gap between the front teeth, bonding one or two teeth is often enough – one appointment, from 1 000 zł per tooth.
| Consultation | 200 zł |
|---|---|
| Bonding – one tooth | from 1 000 zł |
The amounts given are indicative and do not constitute an offer within the meaning of Article 66 of the Polish Civil Code.
Full price listWhat the appointment looks like and how long it takes
The time depends on how many teeth are being rebuilt. One or two teeth take about an hour, four to six – about two hours, and eight to ten – about three hours. If the restoration covers both arches, we need about four hours, still in a single appointment.
If it is one or two teeth – a chipped edge, a small gap, an uneven shape – we can do the bonding in a single appointment, without a design beforehand. We match the restoration to the colour, shape and proportions of the neighbouring teeth and of the whole smile.
If the bonding is to cover several teeth and change the look of the whole smile line, we start with an individual design. At the try-in you can then see the planned result directly on your own teeth. Together we settle the final scope, colour and shape, and the restoration itself is done in one appointment. The design costs 1 500 zł and is paid in advance — the first appointment with the design is 1 700 zł including the consultation.
The first check-up with the dentist is a week or two after the procedure – we check the bite, the fit and the seal of the restoration. After that, check-ups are hygiene appointments every six months. At those visits we assess both the teeth and the restorations themselves, so that any problems can be spotted early enough.
The first 24–48 hours
For the first 24–48 hours after bonding it is worth cutting down on coffee, tea and red wine and avoiding smoking. It is a simple way to limit contact between the freshly made restoration and substances that can stain the composite. Day to day, it is also worth remembering that its colour may change over time under the influence of diet and habits.
How long bonding lasts and what it depends on
The planned life of bonding is about 5–10 years. That does not mean, however, that the whole restoration has to be replaced automatically after that time. How long it actually lasts depends, among other things, on the bite, the way the teeth are used, hygiene and the individual conditions in the mouth. In our practice we also see restorations that are still in good condition after 10 years and do not need complete replacement.
At the same time, changing the edges of the teeth changes the bite, and the body has to adapt to it. This is not uncomfortable, but sometimes the muscles keep working the way they learned on the old edges, and the new edges, exposed to the old way of eating, can chip. We treat the first year as an adaptation period, and if such a chip happens we rebuild it free of charge. We do this so the body can keep adapting to the new edges, which matters for long-term durability.
Grinding your teeth
One of the most important factors is overloading the restoration. Grinding and clenching the teeth, especially without the protection of a guard, increases the risk of cracks and chips.
Coffee, wine, cigarettes
Composite may stain over time. Coffee, tea, red wine or smoking can affect its colour. The process is slow, however, and composite usually changes colour evenly across its whole surface. So the change is gradual and often stays practically unnoticeable to the patient for a long time.
During regular hygiene appointments we can also polish the surface of the composite and bring back its smoothness and fresh look.
Hygiene and check-ups
How long bonding lasts and how it looks depends largely on daily hygiene. Thorough brushing, regular flossing and a hygiene appointment every 6 months help keep the teeth and the restorations in good condition.
At hygiene appointments we can also keep an eye on the condition of the bonding and, if needed, polish its surface, bringing back its smoothness and fresh look.
How you use your teeth
With normal use of the teeth and everyday eating, usually nothing happens to bonding. Composite is designed for the normal work of the bite.
Problems can arise when the teeth start being used as “tools” — for example to open bottles, bite nails, pencils or pens, or to bite through hard objects. Habits like these increase the risk of the restoration chipping.
What we do after some years
Bonding is not a solution for life, but with good hygiene, regular check-ups, a controlled bite and sensible use it can keep its look and function for many years. There is no single rule for how many years it should be replaced after — for some patients there is no need for many years, while for others the composite wears over time enough that replacing it is worth considering. After a while we may suggest refreshing the composite — polishing its surface again restores the shine and helps remove surface staining. We do the polishing alongside a hygiene appointment if we see a reason for it. It is a separately charged service – a bonding refresh costs 250 zł, 650 zł together with the hygiene appointment, and is available to patients whose bonding we did at our practice. It does not cover repairing chips. If a small chip appears, we can often repair just the damaged fragment, without redoing the whole restoration from scratch. For 12 months after the bonding we repair cracks and chips free of charge — on condition that hygiene appointments are done at 6 and 12 months. The cover does not extend to staining caused by diet or smoking, or to damage from grinding or clenching the teeth without the recommended guard. In those cases the repair is chargeable.
Where to read more
Each of these options is described in detail on its own page.
What patients say
The ratings of the practice and the doctors’ profiles come straight from Google and ZnanyLekarz and update automatically. We do not copy or choose reviews – you will find them where our patients left them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to close a gap between teeth?
From 1 000 zł per tooth. The total cost of a makeover depends on how many teeth are rebuilt. We agree the scope individually at the consultation — based on what we want to change and the result we are after.
Does closing a gap require drilling the teeth?
Not always. For a small correction we can build the composite up directly on the surface of the tooth. For a larger change of shape or colour minimal preparation of the tooth may be needed, to make room for the material and keep natural proportions and the durability of the restoration. We always choose the extent of preparation individually, trying to keep as much healthy tissue as possible.
Can a gap be closed in one appointment?
The procedure itself is done in a single appointment. With one or two teeth we can often do it straight away, without a design beforehand. For a bigger makeover we first prepare an individual design and a try-in. That way you can see your new smile for real before you decide on treatment. The whole path — from the consultation, through the design and the try-in, to doing the bonding — usually takes about three weeks.
Does closing a gap hurt?
We do the procedure under local anaesthetic if it is needed, which makes it comfortable. For small restorations anaesthetic is not always necessary. The anaesthetic is included in the price of the procedure.
Can a gap still be closed with braces after thirty?
Age on its own does not rule out orthodontic treatment. What matters is the condition of the teeth, gums and bone, so we assess it at the examination before treatment starts.
Can bonding or veneers replace braces?
With small irregularities they sometimes can. Bonding and veneers change the shape of the teeth but do not move them, so with more crowding or a bite problem orthodontic treatment may be needed first.
Is bonding reversible?
Composite can be removed or replaced in the future, but that does not always mean a full return to the starting point. Even bonding without preparation of the tooth is permanently joined to the enamel with an adhesive system. That is why we treat bonding as a long-term aesthetic change, not a procedure that can simply be undone.
Does bonding yellow from coffee?
Composite may gradually change colour over time. Coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes and plaque can affect its surface. The process is slow, and composite usually stains evenly, so the change often stays unnoticeable for a long time.
If the surface loses its shine or surface staining appears, we can refresh the bonding by polishing, done alongside a hygiene appointment if we see a reason for it. It is a separately charged service – a bonding refresh costs 250 zł (650 zł together with the hygiene appointment).
Bonding or veneers – which to choose?
Both solutions can give a very natural and aesthetic result, but they differ in material, in how they are made and in how they behave over time.
Bonding works especially well when we want to change the shape, length, proportions or colour of the teeth without greater intervention. A big advantage is that it can be repaired — small chips can often be filled in without redoing the whole restoration.
Porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining and wear, and their surface keeps its smoothness and shine for a long time. They also usually need less refreshing in the years that follow.
There is, however, no single solution right for everyone. The choice depends on the condition of the teeth, the bite, the scope of the planned change and the expected result. We choose the solution individually at the consultation.
Book an appointment
Below you will find the situations patients come to us with most often. If you do not see your problem here, or do not know what to call it, simply tell us what bothers you.
Consultation 200 zł
