Feeling like it's time to fix the gaps in your teeth? People develop gaps between teeth for several reasons, and they often live with them for most of their lives. Here's the good news: You don't have to live with gaps in your teeth. There are a variety of dental methods that can successfully help close gaps between teeth, giving you that seamless smile you've wanted.
Today, we will look at some common causes of gaps between teeth and the treatments available to help give you the smile you've always wanted.
Gaps between teeth can occur naturally in people or result from the influence of other issues. One of the most common causes for gapped front teeth is having a frenum that sits lower than usual. This keeps your two upper front teeth apart. Here are some other reasons why your teeth may have gaps between them:
When gaps between teeth form naturally, it usually starts from infancy. Baby teeth have gaps between them to allow for space so the adult teeth can push through later on. As the adult teeth grow and push through, they might still have gaps, but would gradually close as they all push out completely. Sometimes, this doesn't happen, and unfortunately, this is what causes a natural gap between your teeth
Sometimes, children are born with missing or undersized teeth. This could be their baby teeth or adult teeth. This would leave a space where those teeth should be, creating the gap between your teeth
On the other hand, children could also be born with extra teeth, limiting the space on their jawbone and preventing other teeth from coming through properly, leaving a gap
Another common cause is teeth that are too small. Some people have smaller teeth for their jawbone, causing there to be gaps between teeth
In some situations, when an individual experiences tongue-tie, the frenum might cause a gap in the upper front teeth on the bottom
If you notice gaps between your baby's teeth, these are very normal and generally close by themselves with time. When your baby's teeth start to come through at around six to nine months, the front teeth typically have a gap caused by the frenum on the lower gum. This shortens by the time the baby is a year old, closing gaps that may have formed.
Likewise, when adult teeth come in, as they push through, gaps between teeth generally close. It's when this doesn't happen that you need to consider alternatives.
Gaps in your teeth don't need to be fixed unless they pose a problem to your health. Many people live with gaps in their teeth their whole lives without addressing the issue. It all comes down to your preferences. For some, gaps in their teeth are a cosmetic issue they would rather not live with. For that reason, they get it fixed.
For others, the gaps in their teeth are so severe that they cause gum and alignment issues. Gaps between teeth also allow space for food and debris to get stuck, which raises questions regarding oral hygiene. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the gaps in your teeth pose a risk of developing gum disease or other issues or if you're not happy with the aesthetic side of things.
There are quite a few ways to fix gaps in teeth, some of which are more permanent but take time to work, while others are more immediate but don't last as long. If you would like to have the gap between your teeth seen to, then here are some treatments that dentists may use to get the job done:
Dental bonding is an orthodontic treatment we often use to treat tooth gaps. When you go for dental bonding, we'll use tooth-coloured resin and mould it to the shape of each tooth on each side of the gap. Once on, the gap between your teeth would be closed seamlessly, making your teeth look natural and whole.
One of the benefits of teeth bonding is that it's a noninvasive procedure. The dentist must slightly file down the tooth surface before adding a conditioning liquid. Once the teeth are prepped, a tooth-coloured filling material will be applied and moulded to your tooth's shape. All this can be done within an hour, so it's relatively quick.
Learn more about dental bonding treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Veneers are a cosmetic solution to many problems, including discoloured teeth, crooked teeth, cracks, and gaps. Veneers are typically made from porcelain and cover or bond to the front and back of your teeth, hiding any defects or cosmetic issues. When designed, they'll be made to fit your teeth perfectly, factoring in the gaps between your teeth and closing them.
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting and durable, so you may have them for 20 years or more without having them fixed. Generally, when undergoing veneer treatment, a small layer of enamel is removed from the surface of your teeth to provide the adhesive with a coarse surface to bond to. Porcelain veneers are slightly more expensive, but on the upside, they also require minimal tooth preparation compared to some of the others we'll discuss.
Learn more about veneer treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
There's no doubt that you've probably seen or at least heard of braces, but do you know what they do? Braces are used for several dental issues. They are often used to correct gaps between teeth, too. Modern technology has brought us a range of different types of braces, but they mostly do the same thing. By applying consistent pressure over time, braces gradually force your teeth closer together, closing the gaps between them.
Braces can be worn for a long time, depending on how severe the gapped teeth are. Generally, when you have gaps installed, metal brackets and wires would be bonded to your teeth with an archwire placed within the bracket. Elastics may be added to the braces to add additional force to push the teeth into alignment, too. While braces are extremely effective normally, they are also expensive, and the results take a long time. Not to mention that they are also more invasive and require you to go in for routine check-ups.
Learn more about traditional braces treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Invisalign takes a similar approach to braces, but is a more modern and convenient alternative. Invasilign won't only close the gaps in your teeth, but it will also improve your overall smile. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners made from a composite material to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position, correcting defects and closing gaps. For each stage of the Invisalign treatment, you'll get a transparent aligner that you need to wear for most of the day. The best part is that these aligners are virtually invisible and can be taken out to eat and drink, making them far more convenient than braces.
Learn more about Invisalign treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Dental implants aren't necessarily the go-to for all cases like this. When people have gaps in their teeth as a result of losing a tooth or missing a tooth, implants remain one of the best solutions because they are more reliable, feel more natural, and last the longest. It is, however, an invasive procedure. Implants involve a titanium screw being placed into your jawbone where the tooth is missing. Essentially, the screw will act as the root for your new tooth. A new tooth using porcelain or another dental-grade material will be made to mimic the tooth that would be there in colour and shape, and would then be attached to the root.
Learn more about dental implant treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Another potential option you may want to consider is having a bridge done. When a bridge is done, the natural teeth in the front and behind the gap are customised, and a mould is designed for all three spaces. Then, a crown designed to fit all three spaces would be equipped to the areas, bridging across the two natural teeth and closing the gap.
Learn more about dental bridges treatment options at our Melbourne clinic.
Once the gaps in your teeth are closed, your approach to oral care might change depending on the method used above. In most situations, regular oral hygiene, like brushing teeth and flossing, would be part of your standard routine. However, if you have braces or need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth aligned, we recommend sticking to the instructions your dentist has given you.
Choosing to have the gaps in your teeth closed or covered could be your path to a smile you can be proud of. But if you're struggling to decide which treatment options you should choose, you can learn more about how to fix gaps in teeth at our Melbourne CBD clinic today!
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