In this day and age, first impressions are of paramount importance. From designer shoes to fancy clothes, everyone wants to wear the greatest and look the best. This also includes wearing the perfect smile on their faces. Having a confident smile is an important attribute, but for those with gaps between their teeth, it can be the reason for low self-esteem.
Fortunately, with new and upcoming inventions in advanced dentistry, there are some great solutions to cover those gaps.
Know More about Teeth Gaps
Diastema, otherwise known as teeth gaps, is very commonly found in children and sometimes in adults. It is the presence of distinct spaces or gaps present between teeth. Most often found to exist between the front teeth, a diastema can often cause issues like plaque buildup, gum disease, speech issues, and more. These shall be discussed in detail further in the article.
Diastema is often found in children; these spaces close when permanent teeth erupt.
Reasons Leading to Teeth Gaps
Diastema occurs for several reasons, including,
Genetic trait: some people with teeth gaps have family members with the same issue. Diastema can be a genetic trait.
Irregular size of teeth or jaws: Irregular tooth size and jaw size can cause spaces to form between teeth.
Missing teeth: Sometimes, people are born with missing teeth. This can lead to spacing issues. There are also instances where early tooth loss can cause gaps to form.
Oral habits: Certain acts, like pressing your tongue against your front teeth or sucking on your thumb constantly, can cause gaps to form between the teeth.
Developmental problems- Anatomical problems like an oversized frenum between two teeth contribute to the formation of a gap.
Gum disease- If a person is suffering from advanced gum disease, there is a chance of gaps forming between the teeth. Severe gum disease can cause the teeth to become loose and drift apart.
What Problems Can Teeth Gaps Cause?
Speech Issues: Spacing between teeth can cause speech issues in individuals. They can have difficulty in pronunciation of words, causing lisps.
Food Entrapment: The spaces between teeth can trap the food particles and make them difficult to get rid of. This, in turn, leads to cavities, bad breath, and gum diseases.
Low Self-Esteem: Many individuals with spacing between their teeth lack confidence and avoid smiling freely.
Misalignment: Teeth gaps can cause misalignment issues. They lead to the adjacent teeth drifting away from their original positions. This is how bite problems, jaw pain, and TMJ disorders arise.
Functional Difficulty: Teeth gaps may lead to difficulty in chewing and biting for some people. They, in turn, have problems in maintaining oral hygiene practices.
What Are the Various Teeth Gap Filling Options?
There are multiple options for teeth gap filling, check the below one for it.
Orthodontic Treatment:
Traditional Braces: Metal and ceramic braces consist of wires and brackets that slowly move the teeth into the correct position and fill the gaps over time.
Clear Aligners: Invisible braces or aligners are a discreet and transparent method of straightening teeth and closing gaps.
Dental Bonding:
Dental bonding is done with a tooth-coloured material like composite resin. Spaces between teeth are filled with this composite, resulting in better-looking teeth.
Dental Veneers:
A recent development in modern dentistry is veneers. Veneers are of two types- porcelain and composite. They are custom-made thin shells that cover the tooth’s front surface to fill gaps and improve the appearance.
Dental Crowns & Bridges:
Crowns, or tooth caps, are tooth-shaped covers for the existing teeth. They help to improve their look and function. Often, crowns and bridges are used to close gaps present between teeth.
Dental Implants:
An implant is an artificial tooth made of titanium and is surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace a missing tooth.
In conclusion, if you are bothered by the presence of teeth gaps in your mouth and do not know how to treat them, consult a dentist soon. They are professionals who can guide you in choosing the correct option based on your needs.
