If you have a diastema, or a space between your teeth, several options are available to minimize or eliminate the gap.

Diastemas, or spaces between teeth, are most noticeable between the upper front teeth, though they may form anywhere in the mouth. If your teeth are too small for your jawbone, your teeth may be spaced too far apart, resulting in gaps. Other causes behind diastema include an overgrowth of gum tissue near your gum line and upper front teeth, missing teeth, sucking your thumb as a child, incorrect swallowing reflexes, and gum disease.

Diastemas are relatively common and generally harmless, so if you have a gap between your teeth, don’t worry! If you’d prefer to minimize the gap for cosmetic reasons, read on to learn about different methods of reducing or eliminating your gap.

Different Types of Fillers

Finding the right tooth filler can be difficult. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for diastema — each treatment offers different advantages.

Braces

If you have a gap between your teeth, your dentist may suggest getting braces. Not only can braces close small and large gaps between your teeth, but they can also align your jaw or straighten any crooked teeth. The wires and brackets put constant pressure on your teeth, gradually moving them together and closing any gaps — even those caused by missing teeth!

In addition to traditional metal braces, you can get other bracket-based braces like ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, or lingual braces. If you have a small gap and would prefer to avoid getting noticeable braces, consider Invisalign. Brushing and flossing with these removable aligners is easier, but Invisalign is more expensive and less comfortable than traditional braces.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is quick and easy. In just one visit, you can have a better smile. First, your dentist will roughen your tooth near the gap, enabling the bonding material to better stick to your tooth’s surfaces. Then, they will apply a soft composite material directly to your tooth and carefully sculpt it to hide the gap between your teeth. After hardening the composite with ultraviolet light, your dentist will polish the composite resin, so it will look and feel like your natural tooth.

Dental bonding may last for up to ten years, but it’s important to remember that bonding material is porous and weaker than your natural teeth. So, if you bite your nails or pen caps, you may need repeat treatments more frequently. Dental bonding is cheaper than veneers and braces but carries a higher risk of chipping, cracking, or staining — especially if you drink coffee or smoke.

Veneers

Resistant to stains and chips, veneers are an excellent alternative to braces if you have diastema and want to conceal any gaps to improve your smile’s appearance. Your dentist will bond a layer of thin, tooth-colored material that’s a little wider than your natural tooth to your tooth’s front surface. Common materials used for creating these thin shells include porcelain and composite.

Veneers can cost up to $1,000 per tooth but may last for over 10 years, making them an expensive but durable solution for diastema.

Dental Implants

While braces can narrow gaps and veneers can help hide them, they might not be enough in some cases. Instead, you may need a dental implant to fill the gap. Used to support a replacement tooth, these artificial roots are placed directly in your jawbone during oral surgery. After the implant root is fused to your jaw, your dentist will attach your new artificial tooth.

Dental implants are expensive and involve surgery, which means the process can take several months. However, dental implants can last a lifetime (though you may need to replace your artificial tooth once every 15 years or so).

Safely Treating Gaps

If you have a small gap, it can be tempting to turn to DIY products. However, many of these DIY fixes are temporary and even dangerous. Gap bands, for example, create tension with small rubber bands to reduce gaps, and they can damage your bones and gums, even leading to tooth loss. Similarly, using DIY teeth fillers might seem like a good way to fill a gap, but these moldable plastic pellets won’t permanently bond to your teeth. Consequently, DIY teeth fillers are a temporary fix and choking hazard.

Instead of trying risky DIY fixes at home, talk to a dentist to determine the best method of closing your gaps. Espire Dental provides patients with high-quality general and specialty dental services, including those that can help reduce or eliminate gaps between your teeth. Contact us today to find the right teeth filler for you.