Gapped teeth may cause anybody to lose confidence and feel self-conscious about how they smile, which can have a negative impact on a person’s life. Many individuals are afraid that they will not be taken seriously, especially in a professional context, and that this may harm their impressions. Aside from their unsightly look, gaps between the teeth, or diastema, increase the risk of gum disease by gathering germs and generating plaque or tartar, which may ultimately lead to tooth decay or cavities.

What is Diastema? | What Causes Gaps Between Teeth? | Treatments for Diastema

What is Diastema?

Diastemas are the spaces or gaps between two teeth. They often develop between two incisor teeth, although they may occur between any two teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) up to 25% of adult patients have some amount of this feature.

The additional space is caused by a size mismatch between the jaw bone and the tooth size. There will be obvious gaps between two teeth if they are too small for the jawbone. On the other hand, if they are excessively large, they will get congested. The size of the jawbone is often related to heredity.

Spacing issues may emerge from a number of reasons, including:

  • When one tooth is absent, undersized, or has an uneven shape, space might form. In adults or patients suffering from tooth loss, a dental implant is an excellent substitute for a missing tooth.
  • Childhood activities like thumb-sucking might push it ahead, causing gaps.
  • Spaces form as a result of improper swallowing reflexes. When most individuals swallow a piece of food, their tongue presses on the roof of their mouth. Others’ swallowing reflexes are pushing against the front. This is known as tongue thrust, and the pressure will eventually force it forward, causing the gap to form.
  • Periodontal gum disease is another probable cause. It is a disorder that causes bone loss, thus there will be inadequate bone to support the teeth in the mouth. It may occasionally lead to gum infection. Gingivitis, on the other hand, is a minor kind of gum disease that causes swelling in the gingiva. This inflammation leads to bone loss. If a patient has lost a lot of bone, it will become loose. A gap between teeth may form as a consequence of the movement. Know about missing teeth.

What Causes Gaps Between Teeth?

Gaps between teeth may occur in a variety of ways. One main source of tooth gaps is tongue pushing or thumb sucking, which is quite common in children. Those who strain their tongue against their teeth when swallowing may develop a gap in their teeth over time. A child who uses a pacifier or has a tendency of sucking their thumb is at risk of developing gaps in their teeth, which may have a long-term influence on their dental health. If you are missing baby teeth and are obliged to keep them for as long as they are healthy, a gap may form.

If the labial frenum grows between the two incisors, it might become detached and cause a gap. This is the little flap that links the top lip to the gums. However, the labial frenum must be sufficiently big to provide ample space. If the gum tissue slides below its normal location and between the central teeth, it will aid in the prevention of closing gaps. If the teeth are too little for the available area, they may spread out and cause a gap to occur. Teeth gaps may be caused by a variety of circumstances, including your dental practices.

Treatments for Gapped Teeth

During the initial consultation, Dr. Shah DDS will list and explain the various ways for closing a gap tooth as well as determining which treatment option best suits your dental requirements.That’s why you don’t have to worry because at Tustin Smiles, the following makeover for teeth gap are available:

Invisalign

They are custom-fit to your smile, making it an effective procedure for diastema closure with invisalign clear aligners. Apart from closing gaps in the teeth, these aligners provide a slew of additional advantages. They may fix a variety of dental issues, including bite problems, crooked teeth, malocclusion, and other alignment issues. After a number of appointments, your orthodontist will use the aligner trays to gently move the teeth closer. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment in which a set of invisible teeth braces is swapped out every two weeks. This process is repeated until your teeth are perfectly aligned. A retainer will thereafter be used to keep your new teeth alignment. Ceramic braces for gap teeth are another unobtrusive choice.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front of your teeth. This shell is excellent at concealing flaws. Veneers for gap teeth are well-known and efficient cosmetic dentistry treatment options for this type of issue.

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding for gaps will take less than an hour to finish. Your dentist will choose a composite color that closely matches the color of your teeth and will carefully mold the resin material to cover the tooth gap. The front tooth filling or gap filling will make your teeth look brand new.

Dental Crowns

Crowns or tooth caps may be used to cover the whole tooth and close gaps between teeth. Fixing gap teeth with a crown will not only enhance the appearance and quality of your teeth, but you won’t have to worry about it slipping off since it’s permanently bonded.

Frenectomy

The tissues that link the top lip to the gums (labial frenum) might get enlarged and extend between the front teeth. This might result in frenum problems or gaps between teeth. If this is the case, your doctor will perform a frenectomy. The purpose of this treatment is to minimize the enlarged labial frenum. The space is then filled with orthodontic treatment. Read about underbite and overbite.

Schedule an appointment and come in today to obtain a diagnosis and learn more about the alternative methods for closing teeth gaps, such as metal braces brackets, lingual braces for diastema, and the rest of the gap in teeth treatment braces! Furthermore, you can contact us if you want to learn about the dental practice’s treatment costs, insurance providers we accept, payment options, how to get to our office location, if you have any issues, questions, or concerns, or if you want to learn about the other procedures we offer such as dental bridges, dentures, implant surgery, and dental cleanings. Our dentists and courteous staff look forward to meeting you and restoring your self-esteem! When your treatment is completed, you will undoubtedly leave our office satisfied.