Numerous celebrities and supermodels are famous for it and display it with pride. But, diastema—or gaps between the teeth—is considered unsightly by many. Although it may not be
preventable, it’s treatable and very common, especially in the early years of dental development. In fact, up to 97 percent of children have diastema. In most cases, the extra spaces close in naturally when adult teeth erupt. However, if gaps remain, it’s likely to be a permanent condition and you may need orthodontic or cosmetic dentistry treatment.
Reasons for Gapped Teeth
There are a number of factors that contribute to the formation of diastema: the discrepancy between the size of the jaw and teeth, undersized or missing teeth, bone loss, or an oversized labial frenum (the piece of tissue that connects the inside of the upper lip to the gum). Bad oral habits such as excessive thumb-sucking and lip biting can also leave gaps between your teeth.
Filling in the Gaps
Diastema is usually not detrimental to your oral health. However, if a tooth gap makes you feel self-conscious, there are ways to correct the problem.
- Orthodontic Braces can move the teeth closer together to fill in the spaces. This is a permanent solution, but may take over a year to achieve the desired look.
- Veneers can be bonded to the front of adjacent teeth to cover up the gaps. The advantage is immediate results in as little as two appointments. However, veneers may not work with larger spaces because teeth may end up looking abnormally wide.
- Dental prosthetics such as implants, bridges or partial dentures can correct the problem of missing teeth.
- Dental surgery or frenectomy may help if the diastema is a result of an abnormal labial frenum. Your dentist may recommend removing or loosening the tissue before beginning other dental treatment.
Our highly trained dental specialists at The Dental Depot of Highland Village can close the gap, mold, or realign your teeth to custom-design a more confident smile. Best of all, our 3D models allow you to see the results before treatment even begins! Call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kana or Dr. Patel at 972-966-1234.
