Closing The Gap: Diastema In Teeth

Do you have something in common with Madonna? Okay, so you're probably not a multimillionaire singer, but if you smile, you might see the thing that you and the Material Girl have in common. Just like Madonna, if there's a gap between your teeth, you are affected by diastema. This is the technical term for having a noticeable gap between two of your teeth. Is this something you need to have corrected?

Larger Gaps

When the degree of diastema is considerable, the space might be affecting your overall dental health. In this case, an orthodontic solution might be the most appropriate. Dental braces or a course of transparent aligners can gradually close the gap. When it's a smaller gap and is more of an aesthetic matter, you need to pay a visit to your local cosmetic dentistry clinic. 

Composite Resin Restoration

A cosmetic dentist will offer a few different solutions to reduce the space between your teeth. When there are no additional problems with your teeth and gums, the strategic application of a dental composite resin can be sufficient. This is the same material used to fill cavities. The chosen resin will be the same color as your teeth, and the dentist will simply add a thin layer to the inward-facing edge of each tooth on either side of the gap. Once this dries and hardens, it will look like a natural part of the tooth and will function in the same manner. 

Dental Veneers

If it's suspected that the necessary bulk to be added to your teeth via the composite resin won't have the required strength, another option can be explored. Your dentist might suggest dental veneers, which are customized wafer-thin strips of porcelain bonded to the teeth in question. They increase the surface width of your teeth, closing the gap.

Dental Crowns

Composite resin and veneers can be inadequate when the structural integrity of your teeth won't support these forms of restoration. It might be that the teeth have already been compromised and have had cavities filled, which can sometimes complicate the process. Not to worry, because your diastema can still be corrected. Dental crowns can restore the structure of your teeth while being sized so that they close the gap between the teeth.

So when you're not in love with the gap between your teeth, there are a number of dental solutions to close that gap. For more information about visiting a cosmetic dentistry office for diastema, contact a local dentist.