Gappy smiles

Diastema: Fix and Close Gaps Between Teeth

Many of the patients we treat here at Gentle Dental tend to be most self-conscious regarding gaps in between their teeth and want to know the best, most affordable way to close the gaps and perfect their smiles.

Gaps in the mouth can sometimes progress into more serious oral health issues.

But generally, they are one of the less serious dental conditions if treated early enough.

The biggest motivation to have diastema treated is often for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile and wish to close the gaps between your teeth, we have many treatments and procedures available to treat diastema.

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Main causes of gaps

There is one sole cause of diastema, but rather several potential contributing factors.

For some people, the condition arrives due to the relation of teeth to jaw size.

Gaps tend to mostly form when a patient’s teeth are too small for the jawbone, causing them to be spaced apart.

The size of your jawbone and teeth are also determined by genetics, so gaps in the mouth can run through families.

Treating diastema

A common treatment for the condition is braces.

Wire and brackets will put pressure on the teeth to gradually move them closer together.

New innovative brace systems like Invisalign and removable aligners can also fix many cases of diastema.

Invisalign is an effective tooth alignment system that is faster than traditional braces and more discreet.

Gradually correcting your malocclusion, Invisalign uses a series of aligners over a period of 12 or so months.

Check out Invisalign offers.

Fixing gaps without braces

Even though there are faster and more discreet alignment systems, some patients prefer not to wait and seek more immediate cosmetic procedures…

• Veneers: The most common option to fix diastema, porcelain veneers are the perfect option if your teeth are too small for your mouth. In this case, the procedure is better rated than brace systems as braces cannot change the length of your teeth. Veneers are custom-made wafer-thin shells that conceal teeth imperfections as they slide over the front surface of the tooth.
• Bonding: A tooth coloured composite is used to fill and close gaps in the mouth. The resin, once in position will be sculpted by your dentist to blend perfectly with your natural teeth. This procedure is not a permanent fix as it has a lifespan of 3/10 years before it will need to be replaced or repaired.
• Dental bridges: In some instances, you may be a suitable candidate for a dental bridge, which are able to be used to replace missing teeth and correct caps. More.

Choosing the right option for you

Knowing which treatment solution is the best for you will entirely depend on your unique situation and underlying oral health.

It also depends on the type of treatment you are most interested in pursuing, for example, for some patients braces are popular choices, whereas some do not want to wait a 6-12 month period to achieve the results.

For patients looking for fast and permanent fixes, veneers are the number one choice.

The only way to get the correct answers you need to proceed is by meeting with an expert dentist, who will be able to best advise you on the next steps moving forward.

Why we are considered one of the best for cosmetic and restorative solutions

• Highly-rated, impressive reviews (five-star rated clinic). Read them here.
• The number one choice for restorative and cosmetic procedures in Surrey and south-west London
• A skilled team of specialist cosmetic and restorative dentists
• Affordable prices
• Custom-designed smile makeovers

To book an appointment click here.

Gum disease and gaps

The most severe case of gaps in the mouth comes as the formation of gum disease progresses.

The infection causes an inflammation of the gums and tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. The bacteria then eats away at the gums causing deep dark pockets that cause the teeth to separate.

Furthermore, just like patients suffering from overcrowding/crooked teeth, diastema can also encourage gum disease to form.

As gaps create pockets between the gums and teeth, food can get stuck and make gums sore or tender.

Read more about gum disease here.