Treatment for Gaps in Between Your Teeth

Treatment for Gaps in Between Your Teeth

Nov 01, 2020

Diastema or gaps between your teeth can develop on any tooth but are more noticeable between the upper front teeth. Gaps between the teeth affect both children and adults.

The severity of the gaps differs from person to person; some are minor, while others are very noticeable. Though they are not a dental problem, some people may find the gaps unattractive and would want to fix them.

What Are the Causes of Diastemas?

There is no specific cause of gaps in between the teeth. But, there are several contributing factors, such as:

  • If you have small teeth in relation to your jaw size, you may develop gaps. This problem, at times, an inherited problem.
  • Missing teeth. If you have missing upper teeth, especially the later incisors, you may develop a diastema in the upper front teeth. Loss of primary teeth can cause children to develop temporary diastemas.
  • Gum disease. When you have advanced periodontal disease, the teeth might migrate. This happens when the alveolar bone starts to deteriorate, and the surrounding teeth begin to shift for lack of support.
  • Thumb or lip sucking can put pressure on the front teeth, which pushes them forward.

Treatment of Diastema

Treatment may not be necessary because diastema poses no harm unless the cause is gum disease. In this case, our dentist may recommend other treatments like scaling and root planning or bone graft to rectify the problem.

For some people, however, this is nothing more than a cosmetic problem. If you need to close the gaps, our cosmetic dentistry in Meadowvale might be the best treatment.

Braces are the best treatment, and there are several types available. However, we use Invisalign to correct and reposition your teeth.

  • What is Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are clear braces made from a thermoplastic material. These braces are nearly invisible and are customized to fit your dental structure.

Unlike the traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are gentle on your gums.

  • How is the treatment done?

Invisalign treatment is done in phases. On your initial appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth and create a plan for your treatment. The dentist scans your teeth to create a digital impression for making fitting braces. She will then determine the pressure to be applied to the teeth and the treatment duration using dental software.

At the beginning of the treatment, the dentist will give you a set of aligners that are to be worn for 22 hours for 14 days each set. The benefit of using Invisalign is that it gives you the liberty to eat whatever you want as long as you remove them.

During your treatment, you will need regular dental visits to assess and monitor the progress of the treatment.

The Invisalign treatment may last between 12 and 18 months, depending on the severity of the problem. It is important to consult on the treatment duration before getting Invisalign near you.

  • Retention phase

After the treatment is done, the dentist will give you a retainer to maintain the teeth straightening results. Without the retainer, the teeth may revert.

Advantages of using Invisalign

Invisalign aligners offer great benefits, including:

  • It is nearly invisible, which is great if you are looking for a less visible orthodontic treatment.
  • You do not need to worry about diet restrictions as opposed to the traditional braces. You can eat whatever you want, as long as you take them off.
  • Invisalign does not cause gum irritation because it is made from a biocompatible material.

How to Care for Your Clear Braces?

Invisalign needs discipline for the treatment to be successful. Here are a few tips:

  • Clean the aligners every day with a soft toothbrush. Do use toothpaste to brush them because it may damage the braces
  • Ensure the aligners are moist all the time, so store them in the water when you are not wearing them.
  • Remove them when eating and drinking, and don’t forget to rinse your mouth as you put them back.

Visit Forest Park Dental Arts for more information on Invisalign braces and how they can benefit you.

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