Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

In honor of the NY Giants winning the Super Bowl last weekend, it seems only fitting that we do a special blog highlighting a cosmetic dental flaw affecting one of the most iconic Giants defensive players of all time – Michael Strahan. For about 15 years, Strahan wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks, racking up sacks at a record pace (he still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season). He will undoubtedly make the Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility, as he ranks among the best defensive ends of all time.

I’m sure Strahan will be grinning from ear to ear on the day he is finally enshrined in Canton. And when he does, he will flash that signature smile containing a rather large gap between his two front teeth. Over the years, that gap-toothed smile has become legendary. While Strahan clearly has the money to correct the issue, he has curiously chosen not to. Perhaps that gap-toothed smile has become his calling card.

But if Michael Strahan were to choose to correct this issue before his induction into the Hall of Fame, what would he do? He has many options at his disposal to close the gap between his front teeth, including:

• Dental bonding
• Porcelain veneers
• Invisalign

Which of these would deliver the best results for a Hall of Fame defensive end who wants to put forth his best smile on his big day?

Since the gap between his teeth isn’t very large, it can easily be corrected with dental bonding. This would provide the most conservative solution to the problem. However, it is also the shortest-lasting method to fill the gap. Eventually, Strahan would either need to have the bonding procedure redone or opt for a more long term solution. Also, the bonding material may be susceptible to staining over time, marring his newly revamped smile.

Porcelain veneers are a common option to close gaps between teeth. The procedure involves having a thin porcelain shell bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Dental porcelain mimics many of the qualities of natural tooth enamel, ensuring a beautiful result.

Invisalign provides an excellent alternative to traditional orthodontics. The procedure uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. Invisalign would be a much better option for Strahan than traditional braces since he currently works as an NFL analyst for FOX, and he probably doesn’t want to flash a mouth full of metal for the camera every week.

So which of these options would be best for Strahan on his big day? I think the clear-cut choice would have to be porcelain veneers. Dental bonding is less durable, can eventually stain, and must be redone more quickly than veneers. While Invisalign provides the best long term solution, the aligners may impact his speech. This could be a liability during FOX broadcasts on Sunday mornings, and it could subject him to needless ridicule from Jimmy Johnson. And there’s no way any self-respecting Giants legend is going to open himself up to ridicule from a former Cowboys coach. Therefore, we are left with porcelain veneers, which deliver beautiful aesthetics and are resistant to stains. Since Strahan is a rich former NFL player, he can get a whole set of porcelain veneers to cover all of his upper teeth. This way, he will be able to flash a beautiful Hollywood smile as he gets inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Of course, we are talking about Michael Strahan, a man who has embraced his gap-toothed smile with pride. So I think it is pretty unlikely that he will seek out any of these options in the near future. But it is fun to speculate, especially in light of the fact that his former team is once again Super Bowl champs.

Please contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you to learn more about your options for correcting gaps between your teeth.