There’s a Gap Between My Front Teeth; How Can I Fix It?

Gaps between teeth, also called diastemas, don’t usually cause oral health problems if they aren’t especially large, and many people find them cute, charming, endearing, or characterful. However, if you don’t like how your smile looks with a gap or if the space between your teeth exposes your gums to injury, it may be best to address the issue with an appropriate cosmetic dental treatment. Here’s a brief guide to how gaps in teeth can happen, the potential issues they can cause, and how your dentist can enhance your smile.

How Do Gaps Between Teeth Form?

People can have gaps between their teeth for a wide range of reasons like:

• Dental misalignments
• Having especially wide jawbones
• Having especially small teeth
• Excessive sucking of thumbs or pacifiers during early childhood

While small gaps can be perfectly benign, wider spaces can sometimes accumulate plaque and food debris that encourage the growth of destructive oral bacteria and may leave the gums more vulnerable to injury. Even if gaps aren’t causing problems, some people may simply feel that their smiles would be more pleasing without them.

How Can My Dentist Address Gaps Between My Teeth?

Fortunately, today’s dentists have several methods that can close unsightly or problematic gaps in a person’s smile. These include:

• Porcelain veneers: These devices are thin ceramic shells designed to be cemented over the treated teeth, and they can be used to completely transform a smile by concealing chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and stubbiness. However, placing these appliances requires the permanent alteration of the teeth receiving them, so you will need to wear veneers for life after the treatment. Veneers that receive excellent care can last up to fifteen years before needing replacement.
• Invisalign: This modern orthodontic treatment can address mild to moderate alignment issues by using virtually invisible clear aligners to shift the teeth into healthier and more visually pleasing positions. This treatment usually takes between six and eighteen months, and it involves no dietary restrictions since the aligners are easy to remove for meals and oral hygiene sessions.
• Cosmetic dental bonding: This simple and noninvasive procedure can conceal gaps, cracks, chips, and stains using tooth-colored composite resin, resulting in a restoration that can last for several years with proper care.

Don’t let a frustrating gap make you less willing to show off your smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to achieve the grin of your dreams.

About the Author

Dr. Neelima Ravi earned her dental degree at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has received advanced training in specialties like sleep apnea therapy and implant dentistry. Her office offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. If you are concerned about a gap between your teeth, contact her office on the web or dial (603) 926-1551.