Teeth Spacing Treatments
Extra space between teeth is a very common concern for many people. While some gaps are a cosmetic concern, some can negatively impact oral health. On the flip side, teeth can also be too tight and not have enough space between them, which is known as crowding.
Too little space between your teeth is commonly known as crowding. If your teeth are overcrowded, it can be very hard to properly take care of and clean them. In many cases, if a patient is unable to practice good oral hygiene because of crowding, there can be an overgrowth of bacteria, resulting in plaque, gingivitis, cavities, and tooth decay. Improper alignment of teeth can cause an incorrect bite, leading to pain or discomfort. Diastema is a gap or space between teeth. It can occur between any two teeth but is often most noticeable between the front two. Gaps can vary in size. Some are small enough that they are hard to notice. Others are large enough that they can cause problems and be a cosmetic issue.
How to Treat Improper Teeth Alignment and Spacing?
Braces: Braces are commonly used to correct teeth positioning, bite function, and misalignment. To correct a diastema, braces gradually adjust the position of your teeth with brackets and wires. This allows your teeth to move slowly without injury. Classic metal braces typically take 18-24 months for best results.
Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a common procedure used to cosmetically enhance your smile. A small amount of tooth-colored resin is applied directly to the teeth, which can change the shape of your teeth, correct chips or cracks, hide tooth discoloration, and close the spaces or gaps between your teeth.
Veneers: Veneers are strong, thin covers applied to the front of your teeth, similar to dental bonding but more customized and durable. Veneers are a good option for covering small to medium gaps between your teeth.
Dental Bridge: A dental bridge closes the gap left by a missing tooth by connecting an artificial tooth to the nearby teeth. This is a more affordable solution, and if repairs or replacements are necessary, they can be done at a reasonable cost.
Dental Implant: Single tooth implants are a popular choice for someone who may not want to undergo orthodontic treatment but is looking for a more permanent solution to their gap. A dental implant requires a titanium post to be surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. After the implant is in, a custom-made crown is attached to permanently fill the gap.
Frenectomy: A labial frenectomy involves removing the frenulum between the lip and the gum tissues. They are most commonly done on the upper lip. This prevents the upper frenulum from extending too far down the front two teeth, creating a gap.
Treatments and procedures to treat diastema are very successful, so if you want to close the gap or fix the spacing between any of your teeth for health or cosmetic reasons, please do not hesitate to reach out for a consultation with the dentist.
Related Article: Why Are My Teeth Spacing Apart? More About Diastema