Diastema, or dental gaps, are spaces that can appear between any two teeth. These gaps are often a cosmetic concern, but can be addressed through various effective treatments.
Understanding Dental Gaps
Several factors can contribute to the development of spaces between teeth. A common reason is a mismatch between tooth size and jawbone size; if teeth are too small, gaps can form. A missing tooth can also create a space. An oversized labial frenum, the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum above the two front teeth, can also create a gap if it extends too far down between the teeth.
Certain habits can also influence the presence of gaps. Persistent thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing, can exert pressure that gradually shifts teeth apart. Advanced gum disease, leading to bone loss and tooth migration, may also result in gaps forming or widening. Understanding the underlying cause is a foundational step in determining the most appropriate treatment.
Non-Orthodontic Approaches
For some individuals, closing dental gaps does not require moving the teeth themselves but can be achieved through cosmetic or restorative procedures. Dental bonding applies a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth surface. The dentist sculpts this resin to extend the tooth’s width, then hardens it with a special light. This procedure is generally completed in a single dental visit and offers a relatively quick and economical solution for smaller gaps.
Porcelain veneers represent another non-orthodontic option, offering a more durable and aesthetic solution. Veneers are custom-made, thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. To prepare for veneers, a small amount of enamel is typically removed from the tooth surface to allow for the veneer’s placement without adding bulk. Each veneer is custom-crafted in a dental laboratory to blend with natural teeth, providing a cosmetic improvement for closing gaps.
Orthodontic Approaches
When gaps result from misaligned teeth or require significant tooth movement, orthodontic treatments are often the most suitable solution. Traditional braces use brackets attached to teeth and connected by an adjustable wire. This system applies continuous pressure, gradually guiding teeth into desired positions. The duration of treatment with traditional braces varies depending on the complexity of the case but often ranges from 18 to 36 months.
Clear aligners, such as those made from transparent, flexible plastic, offer a less noticeable alternative to traditional braces. A series of custom-made aligners are worn sequentially, with each aligner designed to move the teeth incrementally towards their final positions. Patients switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, closing gaps without wires or brackets. The treatment period for clear aligners can be comparable to or sometimes shorter than that for traditional braces, depending on the severity of the spacing. Both orthodontic methods rely on the biological process of bone remodeling, where bone is resorbed on one side of the tooth and deposited on the other, allowing teeth to shift.
Maintaining Your New Smile
After closing dental gaps, maintaining the results is important to prevent recurrence. Retainers are a primary component of this maintenance phase, designed to hold the teeth in their corrected positions while the surrounding bone and tissues stabilize. Both fixed retainers, which are thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth, and removable retainers, which are worn primarily at night, are commonly used. Consistent wear of retainers, as prescribed by a dental professional, is essential for long-term stability.
Regular dental check-ups are also important to monitor the stability of the results and address any new concerns promptly. If an oversized labial frenum was identified as a cause of the gap, a minor surgical procedure called a frenectomy might be recommended to reduce the frenum’s size and help prevent the gap from reopening. Additionally, addressing habits like tongue thrusting, often through myofunctional therapy, can help ensure the long-term success of the treatment.