If you have a gap in your smile, it might make you self-conscious. There’s really no way to hide it. It’s right in front of your mouth and it shows itself every time you talk, laugh, eat or smile.
Fortunately, if you’ve decided that you want to close the gap in your smile, we have options. The best dental clinics in Delhi are offering multiple treatments for closing the gaps. But make sure you’re happy with that decision first.
Gaps between teeth can be restricted to one gap tooth or more (called localised spacing) or between all teeth (called generalised spacing). The most common gap in teeth is found between the upper two front teeth. This condition is called midline diastema.
But, before we know how to fix these gaps, do you know what causes these gaps between your teeth? Well, here are some common causes for the same:
- A mismatch between tooth size and jaw size. For example, if you inherit jaw size from one parent and tooth size from the other, there will be extra space between your teeth.
- If your teeth are malformed or undersized, they can lead to gaps between them and their neighbouring teeth. The neighbouring teeth then move into the gap in an attempt to close the gap, creating new beautiful gap teeth and irregular teeth alignment.
- A thick and fleshy labial frenum (the small strip of tissue that connects the inner side of your upper lip to your gums) can create a gap between your upper two teeth. This is the most common cause of midline diastema.
- Habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting push your teeth forwards, leading to gaps between them.
- People, especially children, who have an improper swallowing reflex are seen to have gaps in their teeth. This happens because they tend to push their tongue against the front teeth while swallowing instead of pushing it against the roof of the mouth. This pressure on teeth while swallowing results in pushing them forwards, creating a gap.
- Poor gum health can cause your teeth to become loose and move, creating gaps.
While most people believe that gaps in teeth must be corrected only if they are an aesthetic concern, this is not true! Having gaps in teeth can be the starting point of poor oral hygiene, tooth cavities, poor gum health and even loss of teeth!
There are multiple teeth gap treatment options available today for closing the gap between teeth. The best cosmetic dentists in Delhi will tell you how you can get rid of this gaping permanently.
Option 1: Dental Bonding
Aesthetic tooth fillings may be used to fill the gaps in your teeth. When the gap is less than 2mm in size, this method is appropriate; it is also called dental or cosmetic bonding.
It is the easiest and quickest way to close teeth gaps. Thus the best cosmetic dentists in Delhi, use this dental bonding treatment often. If the gap in your teeth is localised and small, they will apply a resin-based material to the teeth adjacent to the gap and will shape it to make it look natural. This material is then hardened using a handheld UV light device that helps seal the gap. However, you must note that this is not a permanent solution to close the gap between your teeth and you may need to redo the procedure if your filling pops or wears out over time from brushing or eating. It can be used to reshape the teeth on either side of the gap to close the gap.
Pros : Inexpensive: this is a fraction of the cost of other options and it can be completed in a single visit.
Cons : Because dental bonding just reshapes the teeth on either side of the gap, it just makes them bigger, which can cause another problem: too wide central incisors. Also, it’s less durable than other options. It will last only a few years at the most and may be damaged or discoloured before that.
Option 2: Dental Veneers
If you are wondering how to get your teeth fixed without the trouble of braces, here’s another quick fix for you! Veneers are a great way to fix the gaps in your teeth, especially the big gaps that are found between upper front teeth.
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is shaped to match the shape and colour of your teeth. When the veneer is placed and bonded on your prepared teeth, it can cover any gaps and other imperfections in your teeth. These veneers are bonded on your teeth using strong dental adhesives and become one with your teeth. If done properly and maintained well, veneers can last a lifetime. This is the most preferred method of treatment by the best cosmetic dentists.
Pros :
- Very attractive: has the colour and lustre of natural teeth.
- These are very durable, lasting 10 years or more in most cases.
- While veneers are reshaping your teeth, we can use multiple veneers to reshape your neighbouring teeth, too, to better reproportion your smile so your central incisors aren’t too wide
- These are also fast, though it takes a couple of visits.
Option 3: Invisalign
Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to gently move your teeth to their desired position, closing the gap in your smile.
Pros :
- Use your natural teeth, so if you like their proportions, you can maintain them.
- Can move other teeth at the same time, straightening your whole smile.
- Clear plastic aligners mean no one has to know.
Cons : It takes time. With Invisalign it can take several months to move your teeth into position. You are stuck with your natural teeth, so if you don’t like the way they look, you might not be happy with the results. Also, Invisalign can relatively cost a little more.