What Can Be Done About Gap Teeth?

Do you whistle when you speak? Are you embarrassed by a hole in the front of your smile? You need not fear; Alta Loma Dental Care provides a number of solutions to diastemas, also known as gaps between the teeth. Which solution is right depends on what has caused the gap to form, which is why we want patients to better understand their options.

Sometimes the teeth simply come in slightly jumbled. If the gap is small and there are no other significant misalignments, it may be possible to simply cover it with veneers. Although these porcelain shells require a bit of enamel to be shaved off, they can be used to reshape and enlarge the teeth, as well as to cover up imperfections such as stains. When there are other co-occurring problems, our Six-month Smiles brand of braces is an ideal solution to orthodontic cosmetic problems. The patient will need to continue wearing a retainer at night after treatment, but the gap will be closed in a few months.

However, some gaps are the result of larger problems. The teeth could be pushed apart if the labial frenum, the vertical ligament which attaches the upper lip to the jaw, is overly large. In these cases, an oral surgeon would have to remove some tissue. A gap could also be the result of tongue thrusting or thumb-sucking, which would likely be accompanied by an overbite. If tongue-thrusting is caused by a problem with swallowing, the assistance of other specialists will be necessary.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit Alta Loma Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.