Diastema Closure: When Invisalign Can't Close the Gap
Perfectly proportioned veneers for a naturally masculine smile
Treatment Plan
- Comprehensive smile analysis and digital design
- 10 upper porcelain veneers with proportioned width distribution
- Strategic gap closure without simply widening central teeth
- Color and texture matched for masculine, natural appearance
Diastema Treatment: When Alignment Alone Isn't Enough
This young man came to us with a common frustration: he'd been told Invisalign couldn't close his diastema—the gap between his front teeth. The problem wasn't alignment—his teeth were reasonably positioned. The issue was anatomy. His teeth were simply too narrow to fill the space, and no amount of orthodontic movement would change that fundamental reality.
Diastema closures present a unique challenge in smile design. The obvious solution—making the two front teeth wider—often creates an unnatural appearance. Disproportionately wide central incisors look immediately artificial. The skill lies in distributing width across multiple teeth so no single tooth appears oversized.
"A smile that's fresh, bright, and youthful—but unmistakably masculine."
The Proportion Problem
Natural teeth follow specific mathematical relationships. The central incisors are the widest, the lateral incisors are about 80% of that width, and the canines are about 80% of the laterals. When closing a gap, you can't simply add width to the centrals without disrupting this cascade of proportions.
The Diastema Challenge
Close a visible midline diastema without creating the telltale sign of amateur cosmetic work: oversized, disproportionate front teeth that announce themselves as veneers.
Strategic Design
We designed 10 upper veneers to close the diastema while maintaining natural proportions. The width was distributed strategically:
- Slight increase to central incisors—enough to contribute to gap closure, not enough to look oversized
- Proportional additions to lateral incisors and canines
- Extended coverage to first premolars to widen the smile corridor
- Each tooth sized in proper ratio to its neighbors
The result is a diastema that's completely closed with teeth that look naturally sized. No single tooth appears too wide because the width is distributed across the entire smile zone.
Masculine Aesthetics
Male smile design differs from female smile design. Men's teeth typically feature more angular shapes, slightly less translucency at the edges, and a bit more texture. The color should read as naturally bright, not artificially white.
We selected a shade that's fresh and youthful without crossing into the artificial territory that screams "I just got veneers." The texture mimics natural enamel, and the shape maintains the angular characteristics appropriate for a masculine smile.
The Result
Six weeks from start to finish. His diastema is gone, and his smile now looks seamlessly natural—no gap, no oversized teeth, no indication of dental work at all. The veneers don't announce themselves. They simply look like he was born with beautiful teeth.
This case demonstrates that sometimes orthodontics isn't the answer. When the underlying anatomy is the limiting factor, veneers offer a solution that alignment alone cannot achieve. The key is designing restorations that respect natural proportions while solving the actual problem.
"The best cosmetic work is the work nobody notices."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why couldn't Invisalign close the gap?
Invisalign moves teeth—it doesn't change their size. When teeth are too narrow for the available space, orthodontic movement alone cannot eliminate the gap. The teeth would need to be made physically wider, which requires restorative work like veneers.
Why 10 veneers instead of just the front teeth?
Closing a gap with only two veneers would create disproportionately wide front teeth that look obviously artificial. By treating 10 teeth, we can distribute the additional width across the entire smile, maintaining natural proportions where no single tooth appears oversized.
What makes a smile look masculine vs. feminine?
Masculine smiles typically feature more angular tooth shapes, less translucency at the incisal edges, slightly more surface texture, and less display of the upper teeth at rest. These subtle characteristics are considered in the design phase to create results appropriate for each patient.
How long did the treatment take?
This case was completed in approximately 6 weeks from initial consultation to final placement. Most of that time is spent in the laboratory fabricating the custom porcelain restorations. The actual chair time involves just a few appointments.
Will the veneers look obviously fake?
When properly designed and executed, veneers should be indistinguishable from natural teeth. The telltale signs of poor veneer work—unnatural color, excessive uniformity, wrong proportions—are the result of inadequate planning and execution, not inherent limitations of the restoration itself.
Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadeh, DMD
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Unlike corporate dental centers where you'll meet multiple providers, Dr. Mehdizadeh personally handles every aspect of your treatment journey—from initial consultation through final restoration. This continuity of care ensures exceptional results tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
With advanced training in implantology, bone grafting, and prosthodontics from institutions across Europe and the United States, Dr. Mehdizadeh brings a comprehensive perspective that corporate chains simply cannot match. His boutique Beverly Hills practice focuses on quality over quantity, treating each case with the attention and precision it deserves.
Education & Credentials
- Mastership in Implant Dentistry, Loma Linda University/gIDE Institute
- Advanced Implant Therapy and Grafting, UCLA/gIDE Institute
- Certificate in Guided Bone Regeneration & Ridge Augmentation, gIDE
- Certificate in Sinus Elevation and Augmentation, gIDE Institute
- Master Program in Fixed Prosthodontics, Fradeani Education, Italy
- Certificate in IV Sedation, University of Alabama, Birmingham
- Certificate in Periodontal Micro-surgery, Huerzelr/Zuhr, Munich
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, Boston University (Cum Laude)
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