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A Same-Day Smile Before a Wedding: Bonding a Peg Lateral and Replacing a Missing Tooth

  • Jun 3
  • 3 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago



With a wedding only days away, this patient came to SOL Dental Arts wanting to feel confident in every photo. Two things stood out in the upper front teeth: one of the small teeth beside the two front teeth — a lateral incisor — had never fully formed and stayed narrow and cone-shaped (often called a “peg” lateral), and the lateral incisor on the other side was missing altogether, leaving a visible gap. The goal was simple and time-sensitive: a natural-looking, even smile, completed in a single visit.



The starting point


Head-on, the smile told the whole story. One lateral incisor was a classic peg lateral — clearly narrower and shorter than a typical tooth. On the other side, the matching lateral was absent, so the neighboring teeth framed an open space where a tooth should be. Together these gave the smile an asymmetric, gapped appearance that was most obvious from the front — exactly the angle a wedding camera tends to catch.



A same-day, minimally invasive plan


Because time was short, we chose two conservative solutions that could be completed in one appointment and that work well together:

For the small peg lateral, we used direct composite bonding — building the tooth up to a fuller, more natural shape by adding tooth-colored resin directly to the existing tooth and sculpting it by hand. This is an additive technique, so little to no natural tooth structure is removed.

For the missing tooth, we fitted a digitally designed and fabricated flipper — a lightweight, removable partial denture that carries a natural-looking replacement tooth and sits discreetly in the gap. Made from digital records, it seated the same day and blended with the surrounding teeth.

In one visit, the peg lateral was reshaped and the missing tooth was replaced, so the patient walked out with a complete, balanced smile in time for the celebration.



The result


Side by side, the change is most striking from the front: the peg lateral now matches its neighbors in width and shape, and the space that was empty reads as a full tooth. The smile looks balanced and natural in both close-up and everyday talking-and-smiling views.



What a flipper is — and what comes next


It's worth being clear about the role each part of this plan plays. The composite bonding on the peg lateral is a durable, conservative restoration that can last for years with normal care, though bonding can chip or stain over time and may occasionally need polishing or a small repair.

The flipper, by design, is an interim solution. It's one of the fastest, least invasive, and most affordable ways to replace a missing tooth right away — which is exactly why it's so useful ahead of a big event. It's removable and generally isn't intended to be a permanent replacement. When the timing is right, longer-term options for a missing tooth include a dental implant, a fixed (cemented) bridge, or a resin-bonded (“Maryland”) bridge. The best choice depends on the health of the neighboring teeth and supporting bone, personal preference, and budget — something we're always happy to walk through.

Every smile is different, and the results shown here reflect one patient's treatment; individual outcomes vary.



Frequently asked questions


How long can I wear a dental flipper?

A flipper is meant as an immediate, interim replacement. Many people wear one comfortably while planning a longer-term option such as an implant or bridge.


Is composite bonding on a peg lateral permanent?

Bonding is durable and lasts for years with normal care, but it is not permanent — it can chip or stain over time and is easily polished or repaired.


What are the long-term options to replace a missing front tooth?

Common choices are a dental implant, a fixed bridge, or a resin-bonded (“Maryland”) bridge. The right fit depends on the neighboring teeth, supporting bone, and budget.



Thinking about a quick smile fix before an event?

Whether it's a wedding, a graduation, or an important interview, sometimes you need to look and feel your best on a deadline.


Request an appointment → and we'll talk through the options that fit your timeline.

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