Gaps in-between teeth are more commonly seen in children, as many adults receive treatment as children to close their gaps. Gaps may result from either natural or behavioral causes. Plano cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Sowell and prosthodontist Dr. Sara Chen offer treatments for adults who wish to close gaps in their smiles.
As a child, you may develop gaps between your teeth as you grow. Your jaw gets bigger while your baby teeth remain the same size. These gaps change once your baby teeth begin to fall out and their larger permanent teeth move in to fill the spaces. Gaps in adult teeth are diastemas.
What is a Diastema?
A diastema is a space wider than 0.5 millimeters between two or more teeth, also referred to as gap teeth or tooth gap. Diastemas often appear between the two upper front teeth, though they can occur between any two teeth. Diastemas are normal and may result from a mismatch between jaw bone size and teeth size. Genetics, missing teeth, abnormal frenum attachment, and thumb-sucking habits can also cause diastemas.
Some people find their diastemas aesthetically pleasing and choose to keep them. However, they can also cause issues with speech, chewing, and self-confidence. Treatment options for diastemas include orthodontic treatment, dental bonding, veneers, or in severe cases, dental implants or bridges. The best treatment option will depend on the cause and severity of the diastema, and the patient’s preferences.
Why Do Spaces Form Between Teeth?
Other than normal sizing issues, there are many reasons why gaps may form. Some other reasons include:
- Tumor growths – A gap can signify a serious medical or dental condition. You may need to treat tumor growth surgically.
- Gum Disease – This silent disease results in tooth decay and a loss of bone that supports the teeth. Gum disease is preventable with regular brushing and flossing. Periodontal disease can cause the gums to recede and form gaps. Call our office as soon as possible.
- Self-inflicted behavior – These gaps occur when you push your tongue against your front teeth when swallowing. Tongue thrusting is a bad oral habit. This habit can gradually push teeth forward and make small gaps bigger.
- Genetics – Some people may have naturally small teeth or a wide jaw, leading to gaps between teeth. Teeth that are too small can naturally create gaps.
- Missing Teeth – Gaps can form as a result of missing teeth. This creates room for neighboring teeth to shift and create spaces.
- Misaligned Teeth – Crooked or crowded teeth can create spaces between teeth as they shift and move.
How We Fix Gaps Between Teeth
If you have a large gap or a small one that’s getting bigger and are unhappy, call Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen. Aesthetic Dentistry Centre offers cosmetic and restorative dental procedures that can close tooth gaps. We can provide the following treatments to address gap teeth:
Tooth Bonding
Dental bonding is a great option if the space between teeth is relatively small. Tooth bonding involves directly applying a tooth-colored resin and sculpting it into the desired shape. We can complete treatment in just one visit, and it’s the most affordable treatment for teeth gaps. To learn about our dental bonding treatments, see Tooth Bonding.
Dental Veneers
Fixing bigger gaps may require reshaping the teeth using porcelain veneers. We make custom porcelain veneers in our dental lab. They are ultra-thin shell-like coverings for your teeth that will look and feel like natural teeth. The medical-grade porcelain compound will meet your cosmetic needs, resist stains, and still be as strong as enamel.
To learn about your dental veneer options, see Porcelain Veneers.
Invisalign® and ClearCorrect™ Clear Aligners
Invisalign and ClearCorrect use a series of clear plastic trays to realign the position of your teeth. Addressing crooked teeth will help us gradually close the gaps and spaces. Wear them for at least 22 hours every day for the best results. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving on to the next set.
To learn about our clear aligner services, see Orthodontics.
Leaving untreated diastema can sometimes lead to other dental issues in the future. If you are concerned about a gap in your teeth or have questions, visit us for a consultation with Plano cosmetic dentists Dr. Mark Sowell or Dr. Sara Chen. We will be able to determine how best to close the gap between your teeth after an exam.