How to Fix Diastema?

Having a perfect smile is something that just about everyone wants. For many, a perfect smile includes straight white teeth and no gaps or spacing. However, it is extremely common for both children and adults to have a space between their front teeth. The technical name for this space is diastema. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to fix diastema. If you or your loved one has diastema and are interested in treatment solutions, you should start by familiarizing yourself with the different treatment options available. Below is more information about some of the more common approaches to fixing diastema.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

There are many treatment solutions available for treating your diastema. Prior to picking your treatment you should start by having your dentist complete a thorough oral health exam and a diagnostic exam to determine the possible causes of your diastema. This oral exam may reveal other issues that need to be treated in order to properly treat the spacing. Some of the orthodontic options your dentist may recommend to treat your diastema include:

  • Braces are a common approach to correcting diastema and spacing between teeth. To eliminate spacing between the front teeth, braces may need to be worn between 6 months to several years. Braces work by slowly pulling teeth into proper alignment overtime.
  • Removable orthodontics work just like braces, but they can be removed from the mouth. Invisalign and other removable orthodontics straighten the teeth into alignment and are a good option for smaller spacing issues.
  • Retainers can be used on their own or are often used in combination with braces or removable orthodontics. Retainers work by helping teeth heal in place and maintaining alignment. Often, retainers are used for maintenance, keeping the teeth in place and preventing them from moving back after spacing and alignment have been corrected.

Cosmetic Treatment Options

If your diastema is less severe, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary for you. Beyond orthodontic options, there are other cosmetic treatment options available to treat diastema, including:

  • Dental Implant may be the best solution if the cause of the spacing is a missing tooth. An implant is a small metal post that is securely placed in the jawbone where the tooth is missing. A few months later, when the jawbone is healed, a new artificial crown can be placed on top of the implant.
  • Dental Bonding is a more affordable cosmetic solution to eliminate gaps between teeth. Dental bonding is common for correcting chipped or cracked teeth, but more recently it has become a popular treatment to fix spacing. The bonding is used to widen teeth in order to close gaps.
  • Dental Veneers are the most popular treatment approach to correct any aesthetic issues with the smile. Veneers are custom-made to fit the needs of each patient. For spacing and gaps, veneers are designed to slightly widen the teeth on each side of the gap.

Steps to Take to Treat Diastema

Prior to choosing the treatment you think is best, you should have a conversation with your dentist. Your dentist will walk you through the treatment options and discuss with you which treatment fits your aesthetic goals and financial needs.

More on Diastema : Diastema & Children