Your smile is a very important part of yourself. When you meet someone, your smile is likely to be the first thing they would notice. Since it showcases your personality, your smile acts as an introduction to the world. However, many people pull back from smiling properly because of their gap teeth. Gap teeth is a cosmetic dental issue that can be a point of embarrassment for many people. The good news is that an orthodontist can easily and painlessly accomplish fixing gaps in teeth.
Medically known as diastema, some people are born with a natural gap in their teeth. Other people develop gap teeth once their permanent teeth start erupting. Although, in recent years, gap teeth have been turned into a fashion statement by A-list actors and models. On the other hand, many people view their gap teeth as a problem and want to fix it. Before we look into some effective solutions, let’s look at what causes these gaps between your teeth.
What Are The Reasons Behind Gap Teeth?
Understanding the different causes of gap teeth will help you choose a suitable treatment. While gap teeth are not life-threatening, it can cause some discomfort and pain. Sometimes, gap teeth are caused due to genetic factors. However, other common reasons are due to habits that can be completely avoided. Some of the main causes of gap teeth are:
- Crooked, undersized or missing teeth
- Misaligned jaw bones
- Thumb sucking
- Improper swallowing reflex
- Enlarged labial frenum
- Gum disease
What Are The Treatments For Gap Teeth?
There are some people who don’t care about the aesthetics of their gap teeth. Of course, it’s good if you don’t feel self-conscious about your gap teeth. However, gap teeth can affect more than just the aesthetics of your smile. It can cause teeth misalignment, improper chewing patterns, speech problems, and bite issues. There are many viable treatments that are available to close the gaps between your teeth. Before choosing an orthodontist, make yourself familiar with this useful guide. Your orthodontist will choose the right treatment based on your budget, lifestyle, and the severity of the gaps.
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Dental Bonding:
Dental bonding is a small and simple procedure that can be completed in one visit. It involves applying a strong tooth-colored resin on to your teeth. After shaping it properly, we shine a unique curing light on the resin to harden it. This resin bonds to your teeth and effectively closes the gap. While bonding is very economical, it can also stain very easily. The resin is also prone to chipping and breaking in a few years. However, with the right amount of maintenance, you can make the bond last longer than usual.
Dental Veneers:
Porcelain veneers are placed in the front of your teeth. They are used to mask any imperfections and fix the gaps in your teeth. It works by removing a layer of your enamel and placing the veneer in its place. Once your teeth are bonded to the veneers, it becomes tough to chip or break. However, this process will leave your teeth unprotected. So, if your veneer breaks, you will have no option other than to replace it with another veneer. While they are more expensive and irreversible, dental veneers last a lot longer than bonding.
Orthodontics:
While the above two options are viable, they have many drawbacks that can affect you on a long-term basis. They also won’t work effectively if you have large gaps. That’s why orthodontic treatment is the most common treatment for fixing gaps in teeth. It’s also the only treatment course that focuses on treating gap teeth in a permanent and holistic manner. Instead of hiding the gap, orthodontic treatments help in solving the source of the problem.
There are two popular orthodontic treatment plans you can choose: braces or Invisalign. In severe cases, you will need full mouth braces to effectively tackle the problem. Closing gaps affect the alignment of the entire set of your teeth. So, every tooth has to shift under the correct pressure in the right direction. Depending on your preferences, you can choose traditional metal braces, ceramic braces or clear braces.
However, if you have smaller gaps, you can also choose Invisalign. Invisalign is a set of clear aligners that can close gaps and straighten teeth. They are comfortable, removable, and almost completely invisible. Invisalign trays are customized to the shape of your teeth. So, they snugly fit onto your teeth. Based on the duration of your treatment, you will receive multiple trays to wear at every stage of your treatment. The best part about Invisalign treatment is that you can visually notice the progress of your treatment. You can understand more about Invisalign treatment here.
The Dangers Of DIY Treatment:
There is a lot of buzz surrounding DIY treatment for gap teeth. You can find a lot of cheap teeth bands and DIY braces. The way it’s supposed to work is by placing the band around your teeth. Since the teeth will slowly move closer together, the gap will eventually close over time. Admittedly, it may have worked for very few numbers of people. Although, there is a lot of danger involved in indulging in such practices.
It’s imperative to understand that fixing gap teeth is a medical procedure. The risks involved in such practices include moving your teeth in the wrong direction, creating more gaps, and causing gum issues. At best, you will fail to solve the main cause of the problem. At worst, you can damage your teeth and end up requiring more dental treatment than before.
Such treatments require a doctor’s precision, skill, and expertise on the subject. Doctors administer dental treatments after spending years at dental school and training programs studying about the human mouth. Don’t ruin your smile – enlist professional help by contacting a reputed orthodontist to do it for you.
CaliSmile Orthodontics Is Here To Help!
CaliSmile Orthodontics only specializes in fixing smiles! Dr. Amir Dehghan is a certified orthodontist serving Los Angeles and Ventura County. He has over 14 years of experience in the field of orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and pediatrics. Having worked at corporate and private practices, he is adept at providing a friendly environment to patients. As the head of CaliSmile Orthodontics, Dr. Amir is committed to excellence in patient treatment and care.
CaliSmile Orthodontics offer financial help through complimentary consultation and flexible payment plans. Our customized treatment plans are a result of giving our undivided attention to our patients. We have a clean and calm office that is fitted with the latest cutting-edge technology. Our friendly staff is here to support you in any way you need.
Our greatest aim is to consistently provide an efficient and enjoyable experience for our patients. We achieve that by treating our patients with the utmost care and compassion. Empowering you through your smile is our ultimate passion. After all, your well-being is our top priority. Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation with us. If you are ready to look and feel your best, call today and get started on your journey to a brand-new smile – (310) 710-6527.
Check out our before & after gallery!
