Your smile is an important part of your face. Having a great smile also boosts your confidence. In order to achieve the best smile, you need to keep your teeth looking their best. If you are one of those with a gap between front teeth, showing off your smile might be something you are not as confident with. In fact, you might even be conscious and feel awkward about it.
Fixing gap teeth is an important step to regain your confidence. There are various ways to fix this dental problem but first you must identify what caused this issue in order to find the most suitable remedy.
What Causes Gap Teeth?
The dental terminology for gap teeth is diastema. While you might be embarrassed about your dental situation, it is actually a very common occurrence. This might be something that you are born with or has developed over time.
There are several causes behind gap teeth. It could be that you lost a tooth causing the other teeth to shift and creating gaps in between your teeth. It could also happen as a result of having some teeth that are smaller in size than the others (especially if you have naturally large jaws). The presence of a thick and muscular tissue known as labial frenum can also cause the gap to appear. This tissue is what connects your upper lip to the gums.
Other lifestyle factors can also contribute to the appearance of a gap between front teeth. Poor oral and gum health habits can be the culprit to that. When you have poor gum health, it is easy for your teeth to move around and result in the displacement of your front teeth. The habit of thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can also cause movement of teeth.
Some people might consider gap teeth to be trendy; however, it is a sign of a serious dental health issue. Do not take it lightly and make sure you consult a dental expert on possible treatments. While most dentists and orthodontists might suggest having braces, this is not your only option.
How to Fix Gap Between Front Teeth
If you want to fix gap teeth, you can look for alternative ways aside from braces. While the latter is the one that is most commonly recommended by professionals, there are other equally effective ways to do it. Since braces are quite expensive, you do not have to worry about your budget because there are other cost-effective alternatives to braces when it comes to fixing your gap teeth.
Here are some of the alternative treatment options you should consider.
Veneers and Crowns
The use of veneers and crowns is one of the most invasive options available for treating gap teeth. Since the gap is in the front teeth, you might want to cover it up cosmetically so that you can smile with confidence. The use of porcelain veneers can make that happen.
The option to use veneers and crowns is suitable for those with bigger gaps in their teeth. This is a popular procedure in cosmetic dentistry that involves a thin shell that is bonded to the front of the teeth. Before the veneer is attached, your dentist will remove a small portion of your tooth’s enamel before they can attach the veneer. For crowns, though, they can easily be designed to fit over your tooth so there is no need to remove the enamel.
The type of material used for making veneers can directly impact the cost of this treatment procedure. Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite ones. Porcelain is much stronger so it is recommended for those areas with significant load bite. On the other hand, composite veneers require minimal tooth preparation and are suitable in those smaller areas (for teeth that are small to average in size).
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure also known as cosmetic bonding. It is one of the easiest and quickest ways to treat gap teeth with the help of your dentist. This is also the similar type of procedure done when you chip your tooth.
It works by using a tooth colored resin that is applied to your tooth, or the gap area. It is shaped in order to look as closely as possible to your natural tooth. With the help of a UV light, it is hardened into place so that it acts as a bond to close the gap.
The dental bonding procedure only requires one visit to your dentist’s office. You won’t have to remove your tooth’s natural enamel, too. This means that you can have the bond easily removed whenever you want to reverse the procedure. It is important to note, however, that dental bonding is not a permanent fix against gap teeth. This will also require maintenance because the resin could wear off from eating, brushing, and other activity your mouth is exposed to.
Dental Implant
Dental implant is another procedure that provides an alternative to fixing gap teeth, aside from wearing braces. It is the best option for those with large gaps. This procedure works by replacing missing teeth and is often followed with placing a dental crown, bridge, or denture after.
You can also choose to have a removable or fixed dental implant. You might want to consult with your dentist on how to choose the right one. This procedure involves implanting an artificial enamel tooth to your bone or gum. This procedure is very delicate so you might want to work with a dentist who is trained to perform dental implants.
Invisible Aligners
The advent of invisible aligners has forever changed the cosmetic dental industry. Aligners work by applying pressure to your teeth to cause them to shift and correct their position. In a way, it works like traditional braces do but they are more cosmetically appealing whereas braces are not only visible but unsightly.
An invisible aligner is made of clear plastic so it is invisible to the human eye. It is suitable for those who might be conscious to wear braces. You can wear them discreetly while still fixing the gap on your teeth permanently. Most invisible aligners require you to wear retainers after you have completed the treatment period.
There are also many manufacturers of invisible aligners that enable you to treat your gap tooth at home. The cost of the kits vary from one company to another.
Teeth Effect Bands
A quick and alternative way to fix gap teeth is to use teeth effect bands. It is not as popular as other treatment options such as braces and aligners. However, it is a good option because it is very cheap. These are elastic bands that you must place around two teeth (the ones with a gap in the middle). The elastic action is supposed to bring the teeth closer together to narrow the gap.
The recommended usage is to wear the bands for 12 hours daily. Do this for as long as desired or until you managed to close the gap. One of the reasons why many still use the teeth effect bands is because it does not require frequent visit to the dentist. However, it is still important to consult your dentist if you are planning to use them because they could have serious consequences, which includes teeth loss.
Final Word
Whether you are looking for a solution to fix the gap between front teeth at home or with the close supervision of your dentist, you have a few options available. Just remember that you do not have to spend a lot of money as there are alternative ways to do it, especially for moderate cases. When in doubt, always consult an expert so your efforts to fix gap teeth won’t lead to other more serious dental problems.
