Do you have gaps between your teeth? This space between your pearly whites is a common dental occurrence — orthodontists call this a ‘Diastema’ — and can appear for a number of reasons. Some patients with a diastema like the individual character it brings, others might prefer a more conventional smile. Sometimes, spaces between teeth can be a warning sign too. Whether you don’t mind the gap or prefer to close it, you’ll find all the info you need here.
With teeth, it often helps to get to the source of the problem. And for a diastema, there can be many causes. Growth quirks happen regularly. Smaller than average teeth and/or a larger than average jaw can lead to significant spacing between the teeth. Research also shows that both tooth sizes and jaw sizes are hereditary!
For some, the tissue between their teeth and gums can be a little too generous in size. If your orthodontist mentions your labial fraenum, this is the tissue they’re talking about.
Gum disease is a serious non-genetic cause of tooth spacing, because the gaps can signal that the disease has advanced. Inflammation in the gum and bone around the teeth can loosen your teeth can cause gaps. As most serious and chronic gum disease (periodontitis) is relatively painless, it may progress without you knowing about it. This emphasises the need for regular check-ups with your family dentist.
Your teeth are constantly shifting and growing, this is more noticeable in your younger years as your jaw is still growing into maturity, however, many people find that their teeth will continue to shift throughout their life. 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.
Gaps between teeth can also result from habits. Some people push their tongue towards their teeth when they swallow, as opposed to the roof of their mouth. Orthodontists call this movement a ‘tongue thrust’, which if significant, can gradually push your teeth apart.
Beauty is subjective! And what we find attractive is often just what is trending.
Sometimes, gapped teeth put aside their differences and come together naturally. There are often gaps in baby teeth, and when adult teeth come in, they can be spaced out too (we all have that photo). When more adult teeth come through, these gaps can close without intervention. This is why we recommend having an orthodontic ‘home’ for your child from an early age, to help your orthodontist monitor their growth and keep you informed about any changes to their smile that are likely to occur naturally.
Depending on the cause, diastema treatment varies. Clear aligners (e.g. Invisalign®, Spark® and 3M Clarity) and traditional braces are an excellent path to a permanent fix. Depending upon your individual tooth size and anatomy, this can avoid any need for restorative dental work. Your specialist orthodontist will advise you regarding all of the options for your individual case, along with all the important finer details. Remember, the little things can be very important!
With braces, a lot of factors can come into play. Bone density, the degree of malalignment and your age may all affect your treatment predictability and time.
As for how long it takes for them to work, noticeable changes will generally show after four to six weeks. And if it’s only the gap that needs closing, then it’s not unusual for braces to only need six to eight months to get the job done.
Every individual case is unique and good quality treatment can take anywhere between six to 24 months. Don’t be discouraged, as your specialist orthodontist might surprise you with an expedited solution.
“Gap bands” are a controversial do-it-yourself treatment method that may seem attractive due to the low price.
The small rubber bands loop around the spaced teeth and are meant to pull them together. Their use isn’t recommended by registered health professionals because these simple rubber bands can be very dangerous. The tight bands can move up under your gums and become lodged, and irreversibly damage your teeth. This can result in loose teeth or teeth that need to be removed. In short, it’s best to leave the treatment to the professionals.
Please always consult a specialist orthodontist first before making any decisions. Your teeth and your smile are extremely important, therefore any changes or improvements to them should be done safely and predictably with a true expert. Use our Finder Tool to find a specialist orthodontist near you.
Loading...
