A diastema is a space in between the teeth. That could either develop as a consequence of tooth or teeth loss, following teeth migration or shifting; or it could be an innate condition brought about by smaller teeth, frenum position or jaw size. Regardless of why the teeth are spaced away from each other, patients find an esthetic issue with it, so they want it corrected. Who intends to smile with ugly gaps in their teeth, right?
Closing the Gap
If you are troubled with the gap or spaces in between your teeth, you can go to your dentist to have it closed it using the following dental procedures:
- Braces. The most acceptable way to close spaces is to install braces. Orthodontic treatment will shift teeth and pull them together. As conventional orthodontic treatments go, it involves bone break and bone building, so that the teeth could collectively take a new shape in the jaw—and new position without spaces. Of all the options, this is the most acceptable because the teeth are left sound and untouched.
- Dental Bondings. Using composite material (the same material used for dental fillings), the spaces are closed by reshaping the teeth with the utilization of the filling material. The two teeth are allowed to meet, to lock the space, to cover the gap. The result is a bite that’s seemingly aligned, without spaces, with the teeth maintaining its natural curvatures; and it may be done with or without tooth reduction.
- Veneers. For more retentive and more esthetic results, a patient can choose to get veneers to close their gap(s). This treatment option involves fairly minimal tooth reduction, limited to the facial and biting surface of the teeth, so much of the teeth is preserved. It may be made with ceramic or porcelain and is cemented in place.
- Dental Crowns. The problem with veneers is that since it is limited to a facial reconstruction, it is not as retentive as one would hope for. Regarding aesthetics, the results are more or less similar to veneers, but what you get with a full-coverage crown is retention. It is more retentive because all surfaces of the teeth are reduced, and the entire tooth receives a crown.
- Frenectomy + Cosmetic Treatment. If the cause of the diastema in between the two central incisors is due to the position of the frenum, a minor surgery is performed. That involves the cutting and repositioning of the frenum, followed by a chosen treatment (as described above) to actually close the gap. Frenectomy is essential because the soft tissue will only push the teeth and recreate the space once again.
Whatever option you pick, all these will close the gap and give you a straighter and more attractive smile. A diastema is not an important concern, but some people would have it corrected because the spaces make the teeth look odd.
