Teeth come in all different types of shapes, sizes, and alignment and oftentimes, many people have gapped teeth, specifically between their two front teeth. Not everyone chooses to fix their gapped teeth though. If you are on the fence as to whether to fix your gap or flaunt it like supermodel Vanessa Paradis, actor Penn Badgley, or actress Reese Witherspoon, we’ve compiled a list of reasons why you should or shouldn’t keep your gap.
If you do decide to close your gapped teeth, we offer many solutions for cosmetic dentistry in Pinestraw and Aberdeen to choose from.
What Causes Gapped Teeth?
Diastema, otherwise known as a tooth gap, is when a gap occurs between the two front teeth. There are a few different causes of tooth gaps including:
- Unhealthy Oral Habits – Thumb sucking, incorrect swallowing, incorrect tongue placement, pressing on the two front teeth
- Enlarged Labial Frenum – The tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum is too large and passes through the two front teeth, causing a gap
- Missing Teeth – If you have missing teeth, the remaining teeth will shift in position and cause gaps
- Small Teeth – If your teeth are too small, it can leave extra space in the jaw and cause a gap
Any of the reasons listed above can contribute to your gapped teeth.
To Keep or Not to Keep?
Aside from the aesthetics of your smile, there is really no reason to get rid of your gapped teeth. However, if your gapped teeth are causing misalignment issues or affecting the health of your teeth or gums in any way, we highly recommend fixing it. If you’re not sure if your gap is causing other problems, our dentists will offer their expert opinion during a consultation. If you do decide that your gap makes you dislike your smile or it’s causing health problems, we will go over the different treatment options to choose from.
Cosmetic Dentistry That Can Fix Your Gapped Teeth
If you’re ready to close in your gapped teeth, you’re in luck because we offer lots of different treatments that can help. If you don’t have any alignment issues and want immediate results, we recommend dental bonding or porcelain veneers. Both bonding and veneers will change the shape of your teeth to close in the gaps after one to two appointments. The only downside is that you will need to replace the bonding and the veneers repeatedly throughout your life to maintain your results.
On the flip side, if you need to fix your alignment and want more permanent results, we will recommend orthodontics for your gapped teeth. The results will just take longer to achieve. However, once you finish your orthodontic treatment, as long as you wear your retainer per our recommendation, you can expect to have a gap-free smile for the rest of your life.
If you’re ready to fix your gapped teeth with cosmetic dentistry in Pinestraw and Aberdeen, contact Kuhn Dental Associates today for a consultation. Please call (910) 692-4450 to book an appointment.
