While there can potentially be a gap anywhere in your smile, it is particularly common for there to be an unusual amount of space between the two front teeth in your upper archway. This often isn’t a major oral health issue, but you might be less than happy with how it affects the appearance of your smile. Luckily, your cosmetic dentist is here to explain what can cause gaps to form between your front teeth as well as what can be done to close them.
What Causes Gaps Between the Front Teeth?
A gap between the teeth is also known as a diastema, and it can occur between the two front teeth for any of the following reasons:
- Your teeth may be unusually small compared to your jawbone.
- The upper lateral incisors (the teeth right next to the upper front teeth) aren’t as large as they should be.
- You have an oversized frenum (strip of tissue that attaches the lips to the gums) that’s keeping the teeth in question apart.
- Untreated gum disease is causing your jawbone to deteriorate, and as a result, some of your teeth have moved out of place.
- Bad childhood habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting ended up pushing your upper front teeth forward.
How Should a Gap Between Your Front Teeth Be Treated?
If gum disease is the underlying cause of the gap between your front teeth, then you’ll want to have the condition addressed as soon as possible. Treatments such as scaling and root planing can help prevent gum disease from growing any worse and reduce your risk for eventual tooth loss.
In cases where the gap between your front teeth is simply a cosmetic issue, you may want to consider the following options:
- Invisalign: An Invisalign treatment involves wearing clear plastic aligners to change the alignment of your teeth, thus closing any gaps. Said aligners will be virtually invisible when worn, so most people likely won’t even notice them.
- Veneers: Veneers can be attached to your teeth to cover up gaps and other imperfections. They can be an especially good option if the gap is the result of smaller-than-normal teeth.
- Cosmetic Bonding: Another option for closing gaps is to reshape the affected teeth with composite resin via cosmetic bonding. A major advantage of this particular treatment is that it can be completed in just one visit.
Talk to your dentist to see what they recommend for a gap between your front teeth. The sooner you have the space closed, the sooner you can start feeling more confident about the way your smile looks.
About the Author
Dr. Arash Vahid is proud that he’s able to help people in so many different ways thanks to his dental expertise. He currently belongs to various professional dental organizations including the New Jersey Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He has helped many patients deal with gaps between their front teeth thanks to a variety of treatments like Invisalign and veneers. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vahid at AV Dental Associates of Ramsey, visit his website or call (201) 962-8452.