When you look in the mirror, are your eyes drawn to the gap between your two front teeth? Your dentist would call this a diastema, and it’s more common than you might think. The good news is that it shouldn’t threaten the health of your smile. However, you might still want to get it fixed so that you can feel more confident showing off your pearly whites. Read on to learn why a gap between front teeth might develop – and what your dentist in St. Albans can do about it.
What Causes a Gap Between Front Teeth?
People can have diastemas for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common ones are:
- Smaller teeth – The gene that affects the size of the jaw is different from the one that controls the size of the teeth. As a result, people whose teeth are small compared to their jawbones may develop diastemas. Since it’s genetic, diastemas may run in families.
- Gum disease – In the advanced stages of gum disease, teeth can shift, causing gaps to open between them. Eventually, your teeth may fall out unless you get treatment.
- Bad habits – Certain habits in childhood, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can cause diastemas later in life.
No matter the reason behind your diastema, your dentist has plenty of ways to correct it.
How Your Dentist Can Help
If you have a gap between your two front teeth, then cosmetic dentistry can help. Here are some of the treatments your dentist may recommend:
- Invisalign – Clear aligners like Invisalign can subtly and comfortably shift your teeth into their ideal positions.
- Veneers – Veneers can correct undersized teeth that cause diastemas. These ultra-thin porcelain shells cover the front of a tooth, instantly giving it a flawless appearance.
- Cosmetic dental bonding – Bonding involves the use of a tooth-colored, putty-like composite resin material to seamlessly fill in the gap.
- Periodontal therapy – If your gap is due to gum disease, then periodontal therapy is essential in stopping the infection and preventing irreversible damage. Once your oral health is squared away, then you and your dentist can decide on a cosmetic treatment to close the gap if you so desire.
Just because you have a gap between your front teeth doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever. Ask your dentist in St. Albans about possible solutions so that you can be proud to show off your smile!
About the Author
At St. Albans Dental, Dr. Tyler Aten loves nothing more than rebuilding his patients’ confidence by improving their smiles. After earning his dental doctorate at the University of Connecticut, he underwent extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry at the prestigious SPEAR Institute. He offers all of the cosmetic services listed in this post and more. To get started on fixing your gap between front teeth, visit Dr. Aten’s website or call (802) 524-4844.