Some celebrities and models have built careers around gaps in their front teeth, but most of us are embarrassed by the gaps and want to fix them. There are multiple solutions to fix a gap that are virtually painless and quick—understanding why dental gaps occur, and pain-free solutions will help you decide what works best for you!
🦷 How Dental Gaps Occur
When it comes to fixing dental gaps (diastema), you must understand what has caused the gap. If you feel like you are the only one with a gap, you are wrong. About 27% of adults worldwide have a gap between their teeth. While many people are not concerned by this, a larger percentage feel it detracts from their smile and seek a solution to fix the gap.
🔍 Dental Gap Causes
Several things cause dental gaps. Once the cause is known, you can choose the best solution. Not all causes are due to jaw or teeth issues; the most common causes are,
🧫 Soft Tissue
The labial frenum is a fold of soft tissue that attaches the gums above your two front teeth to your upper lip. When the labial frenum is too thick or too large for your mouth, it can grow between the central incisors and push the teeth aside, creating a gap.
🧬 Genetics
DNA defines everything about you, even the dental gaps. Genetic traits, such as a discrepancy between jaw and tooth size, can result in an overly large dental arch, leading to gaps between the teeth. Sometimes individuals are born with smaller teeth, affecting the lateral incisors on the side of the front teeth. Because the teeth are too small, gaps will eventually form between them.
👄 Personal Habits
Tongue Thrusting
Tongue thrusting puts constant pressure on the front teeth as the tongue is thrust against them, causing gaps between teeth due to the tongue pushing on the teeth constant.
Thumb Suckers
Thumb sucking places endless pressure on the front teeth, which, like tongue thrusting, will eventually cause the teeth to gape.
🦠 Periodontitis
Gum disease in adults can be a devastating condition, damaging the tissues and bones that anchor the teeth and resulting in dental gaps. This needs to be treated at the bone and gum lines first before any dental restoration can be completed.
💡 Expert Tip
If you suddenly notice a gap appearing between your teeth after the age of 30, it can be one of the early signs of gum disease. As the gums and bone supporting your teeth weaken, your teeth may begin to slowly move apart.
If this happens, it’s important to schedule a dental check-up — early diagnosis can prevent further damage and keep your smile healthy.
If you are looking for long-term solutions to gaps between your teeth, you must address the underlying cause before undergoing cosmetic dentistry.
😌 Pain-free Dental Gap Treatments
😁 Clear Aligners and Traditional Braces
To permanently fix a gap between your teeth, you need to apply pressure over time. This is where traditional braces and clear aligners come in. Both use steady pressure that slowly moves your teeth into place and closes the gap between them, improving your bite and oral health. While they are not a quick fix to the problem, the results are permanent, and your smile will be gap-free.
Traditional braces are metal. They are still being used because they provide beautiful results. Each tooth receives a bracket that is connected to an archwire. They are tightened periodically to move the teeth into alignment, thus eliminating gaps. Metal braces can be difficult to brush and floss, and occasionally a wire may break. Braces not only close larger gaps, but they also correct even the worst bite issues and severely overcrowded teeth.
Clear aligners have been popular from day one, especially with adults. While they are as effective as metal braces, they are practically invisible. The process involves clear, customizable plastic trays that fit over the teeth. Trays are worn for 7-14 days, and the next aligner is used. You continue to wear them until you have utilized all the aligners in the set. Unlike metal braces, clear liners can be removed at meals and for oral hygiene. To be effective, you have to wear them for up to 22 hours a day.
Both gap solutions are effective. The method you choose should be right for you.
✨ Veneers and Bonding
If you don’t have the time or patience for braces or clear aligners, veneers and dental bonding can quickly close the gap between your teeth.
Dental Bonding is by far the quickest and easiest way to close a gap between teeth. A resin matched to the color of your natural teeth is applied to the gap and sculpted to the tooth. Once curing is complete, the resin is polished to match the sheen of the rest of your teeth. The process from beginning to end takes 30 minutes to an hour, and dental bonding can be done in one appointment.
Veneers are porcelain shells placed over your natural teeth. They are fitted to your teeth and bonded to the front of the tooth. Veneers are perfect for covering gaps between teeth, chips, minor malalignments, and stains. Most veneers can be done in two appointments.
👑 Dental Bridges Dental Crowns
Dental bridges can replace missing teeth and fill larger gaps. It requires healthy teeth to secure the bridge with crowns. The anchor teeth need to be prepped to ensure the crowns are securely cemented. Bridges are more affordable than crowns and can be done quickly.
Dental crowns are ideal for a tooth that is too small, oddly shaped, or damaged, causing a gap. It involves placing a crown on the damaged tooth and shaping it to close the gap and make it look as natural as your other teeth. While choosing the dental gap solution that works best for you, contact
Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, Mexico. We are the premier dental restoration destination! Whether you are planning a trip to Cancun or want our experienced team of dental professionals to do your dental work, we are only a phone call away. Call us today and schedule your initial consultation.
