Dental Treatment Options For A Diastema
"Diastema" is the medical term for an unusually large gap between two teeth. Depending on the severity of the diastema, fixing the gap can either be a purely cosmetic dentistry issue or a medical necessity in order to correct a bite problem. Correction methods vary depending on the severity and nature of the gap. The teeth simply growing in spaced out, misshapen teeth, or the loss of a natural tooth can cause the gap.
Here are a few of the diastema treatment options you can discuss in your next dentist office visit.
Spaced Out Teeth: Braces
A diastema can be caused by the permanent teeth simply emerging slightly out of place, which creates a gap. In these situations, the diastema might be the only dental problem present and is typically a cosmetic issue. Orthodontics usually work to fix this type of diastema.
Adult patients who don't want an obvious set of metal braces in the mouth often prefer clear braces. The dentist will create a series of clear trays that fit snugly down over your teeth. Subsequent trays are custom-crafted to your progress, so that the dentist can make adjustments for the best final result.
Misshapen Teeth and/or Small Gap: Dental Crowns
Sometimes a tooth or teeth that are smaller than the rest of your teeth cause the gap. The resulting gap is typically fairly small and can be corrected with dental crowns.
A natural tooth crown is the white part you see when you open your mouth in front of a mirror. An artificial dental crown is a tooth-colored shell that fits down over the natural tooth to slightly modify its shape. The crown can help thicken the existing small tooth or teeth so that the gap closes.
Misshapen Teeth and/or Large Gap: Veneers
A dental crown isn't thick enough to take care of severely misshapen teeth and/or a large gap. While orthodontics can be used to help with a large gap, the braces won't do anything to correct the misshapen teeth. So, following orthodontics, your dentist might recommend veneers.
There are a couple of different types of veneers. Indirect veneers work similarly to crowns in that the dentist creates a custom-fit artificial front for the tooth. Those veneers are typically made of durable porcelain and can correct most tooth shape issues. But the durability and custom fit also come with a higher price tag.
A cheaper alternative is a direct veneer. The dentist will brush a composite material directly onto the tooth and allow it to harden. Layering can add width to the veneer to help improve the shape and to close the gap.
Meet with a dentist, like James Tritton DDS PC, as soon as possible to discuss the diastema solutions that are best suited to your needs.