What To Know About The Gap Between Your Two Front Teeth

In a survey conducted by OnePoll, it was discovered that almost 70% of people wished they could change something about their pearly whites. If you have a gap between your front teeth, known as diastema, you may have wanted to close it so you could have a more uniform smile. Fortunately, there are so many dental treatments on the market now to correct the space and make your two front teeth come together seamlessly. Read on to learn about the causes of diastema and some possible solutions for it.

What Causes Diastema?

There are several reasons a gap between the two teeth can occur. The following are the most common causes:

• Missing teeth: When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth will begin to move around due to the extra room available in the mouth. As a result, a space could develop. This occurs more often when the teeth on either side of the front teeth are missing.
• Small teeth: In most cases, having smaller teeth in relation to the jawbone is genetic. In this situation, spaces can develop.
• Gum disease: When gum disease goes untreated and becomes more advanced, the teeth can migrate, and gaps can open between them. If the inflammation of the gums is not treated, the teeth could eventually fall out.
• Oversized labial frenum: The labial frenum is the tissue that extends from the inside of the upper lip to the gum that is above the upper front teeth. If this is larger than average, a gap can form.
• Childhood oral habits: If a person sucked their thumb (or had other oral pacifier habits) for long periods of a time as child, diastema can develop.

What Can You Do About Diastema?

The good news is that if the gap between your front teeth bothers you,  your dentist can offer several solutions to fix it. Here are some possible treatments that may be able to give you the aesthetically beautiful smile that you desire:

• Veneers: If undersized teeth are the reason why you have a diastema, veneers can correct this. By placing ultra-thin shells of porcelain over the surface of your teeth, dental imperfections such as diastemas can be covered up.
• Invisalign: Invisalign clear aligners can successfully (and discreetly!) shift your teeth and close the gap.
• Cosmetic dental bonding: Your dentist can use a composite resin on the surface of the teeth to fill in the gap. The material is then hardened with the use of a special light to seal your renewed smile in place.
• Periodontal therapy: If you have any stage of gum disease, it is essential to treat it as soon as possible with periodontal therapy. This will stop the infection and prevent further issues. After your gums have returned to health, you and your dentist can decide on the best treatment to close the gap between your teeth.

Diastemas don’t harm your oral health in any way, but you may not be pleased with how it makes your smile appear. By discussing your options with your dentist, you can fix your dental issue and achieve your dream grin within a short amount of time!

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas and his team at Village Walk Dental keep the smiles of Chula Vista whole, healthy, and beautiful. With over 30 years of experience, he provides a full range of services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. His goal of partnering with you to achieve a lifetime of excellent oral health is his top priority, as shown by almost 300 5-star reviews on Google! To schedule an appointment, contact him through his website or call (619) 482-7367.