• Gaps Between Teeth
• Treatments

Gaps Between Teeth

As we age and our teeth shift, a gap between the teeth may suddenly appear. If you have a tooth extracted which is not immediately replaced with an implant or bridge, your entire bite may shift dramatically. The teeth surrounding this missing tooth may shift toward each other, creating a gap between the teeth. It's not at all unusual for a person who had a terrific smile her entire life to suddenly notice she now has gapped teeth.

For some, a very small gap between the front teeth can be charming, even attractive. Anything larger than the faintest of gaps, however, is usually regarded as unsightly. Of course, gaps that occur between teeth other than the two front teeth are completely undesirable. For instance, a gap between an incisor and a canine is quite noticeable, and very clumsy looking.

Reasons to develop the ‘gaps between teeth’

Habits can also lead to gaps between the teeth. Thumb sucking tends to pull the front teeth forward, creating gaps.

Spaces can develop from an incorrect swallowing reflex. For most people, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth (palate) during swallowing. Some people develop a different reflex known as a tongue thrust. When they swallow, the tongue presses against the front teeth. Over time the pressure will push the front teeth forward. This can cause spaces to develop.

Periodontal (gum) disease results in the loss of the bone that supports the teeth. In people who have lost a lot of bone, the teeth can become loose. This movement can result in gaps between the front teeth.

Children may have temporary gaps as their baby teeth fall out. Most of these spaces close as the permanent teeth reach their final positions.

Treatments available for ‘Gap Between the Teeth’

• Teeth Effect Bands

  Teeth effect bands perform their job by wrapping around the teeth which are having the gap between them. There is a stretching ability in the band and as soon as it is placed on the teeth it stretches but the objective of the band is to stay in the natural state and away from being stretched and because of that, teeth are pulled together towards each other which reduces the gap. The advantage of using teeth effect bands is affordability and there is no requirement of going to the dentist.

• Porcelain Veneers

  Porcelain veneers are very thin shells, actually just like fake nails, made of porcelain and they are placed on both tops and front of the teeth. The thinness of porcelain veneers allows light to pass through and they can easily take the natural colour of the teeth under them. They are durable and strong and no one can see if they are on your teeth.

• Bonding

  There is a three step procedure involved in Bonding. The first step consists of a mild acid which is applied on the front of the teeth and after that the plastic bonding material is placed and sculptured according to the shape of the teeth. The last involves use of a high density light which hardens the material.

• Orthodontics / Braces

  Braces or orthodontics can be two bit painful processes but it has always proved to be very effective. There are small brackets used in orthodontics and the front of teeth is bonded with them. After this, wires of different sizes are used to connect the brackets so that the teeth are moveable and gaps can be closed. The only advantage of braces is no requirement of any tooth reduction.

• Crowns

  Crowns are also very commonly used solutions for closing gap teeth. They can be made of either metal or porcelain or both of them together. They are known as the best solution in case of broken teeth, especially where protection and support is a requirement. If the gaps between your teeth are extremely wide, crowns can prove to be very appropriate solution. Crowns are very strong and several materials can be used to fabricate them.

• Keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing regularly.
• Schedule regular professional cleanings by your dentist or dental hygienist.
• Use gentle toothpastes that are safe for bonded teeth. Ask your dentist for recommendations.
• Slice hard foods like apples and carrots before eating them.
• Avoid chewing on hard objects like fingernails, pencils, or paperclips.