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304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
How to fix a gap in the teeth
Gapped teeth, which are also called diastema, cause distinct gaps between the teeth. Diastema is a term used most often for the gap between the front two upper teeth, the most common gap in the mouth. 50-60% of children under the age of 5 have this gap, and it will usually close on its own by the age of 8 or 9.
Dental implants can be used to fix the gap in-between teeth if the gap is very large or a tooth is missing. A dental implant is a surgically placed metal post or frame that is implanted into the jawbone and your gums. Once this implant has been made the dentist can insert a replacement tooth in this spot.
Often, a gap forms between the teeth as a result of being born with a jaw that is too large for the teeth, or teeth that are too small for the jaw. The most common reason for gaps is simply having a tooth size to jaw discrepancy, White says.
Historically, gaps between the front teeth have been considered an unattractive feature. Even dating back to the times of Chaucer, people were criticised for having an unsightly gap between their teeth.
A gap in your smile is not a bad thing; however, the gap between your teeth may be cause for concern with your oral health. For some, a gap is natural; it’s how their teeth erupted into their mouth.
Gaps between baby teeth are normal. Gaps between adult front teeth often close by themselves as more adult teeth come through. Talk to your oral health professional or orthodontist about the need for treatment for gapped teeth.
This may mean that gaps in teeth can get bigger over the years, or in some cases they may get smaller. You’ll need to have a consultation with an orthodontist to understand how your teeth are shifting as you age.
Every case is unique, so it depends on the specific of your condition and the gaps themselves. A single small gap can be closed in 6-9 months using braces or Invisalign; multiple gaps may take from 12 months to 2 years to fully close, in a safe, effective, and long-lasting manner.
In addition to orthodontics, a gap in your teeth can be corrected with restorative treatments such as composite bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns. Larger spaces with missing teeth can be restored with dental implants or bridgework.
Cosmetic dental bonding (using a tooth-colored resin on each adjacent tooth to fill the gap) costs $300-$800 per tooth on average, but can be as low as $100-$200 or as high as $800-$1,000 per tooth depending on complexity, the dentist’s training and local rates.
Treatments for Gapped Teeth
To Keep or Not to Keep? Aside from the aesthetics of your smile, there is really no reason to get rid of your gapped teeth. However, if your gapped teeth are causing misalignment issues or affecting the health of your teeth or gums in any way, we highly recommend fixing it.
Do gaps in teeth get bigger? In some cases, gaps between teeth can get bigger. Generally, this happens when people have a habit called tongue thrust. This occurs when the person naturally pushes their tongue against the front teeth during swallowing rather than against the roof of the mouth.
What is diastema? Diastema refers to a gap or space between the teeth. These spaces can form anywhere in the mouth, but are sometimes noticeable between the two upper front teeth. This condition affects both adults and children.
Putting a rubber band around two teeth to close a space or gap between them isn’t standard treatment. In fact, the use of gap bands is highly discouraged by dentists, orthodontists, and many other medical professionals.
A diastema (plural diastemata, from greek , space) is a space or gap between two teeth. Many species of mammals have diastemata as a normal feature, most commonly between the incisors and molars. Diastemata are common for children and can exist in adult teeth as well.
Often, no matter where the gap originates, you must wear a full set of braces on both your upper and lower teeth. That’s because moving any teeth affects your entire mouth. If you have a space because you’re missing teeth, you might also need more extensive repair work done, such as tooth implants or a bridge.