Straighten Teeth and Close Spaces With Ortho
Since your smile is often the first thing people notice upon initially meeting, having gaps between teeth can greatly affect self-esteem. Not only that, gaps between teeth can also cause oral health issues affecting function and health. These gaps are known as diastema, and can happen to anyone with teeth.
In this post, we detail everything you need to know about diastema, where they come from, and how to treat it.
What is Diastema?
Diastema refers to a gap or space between teeth. This can be spaces from anywhere throughout the mouth, but most noticeably between the top two front teeth.
Small gaps between teeth may not seem noticeable but could still contribute to cosmetic and functional issues that affect speaking and eating. Larger gaps between teeth may be greatly detrimental to the way a smile operates as well as affecting the person’s appearance.
Causes of Diastema
Several factors can contribute to diastema, including size of teeth and size of the jaw bone. Gaps between teeth occur when teeth are too small for the jawbone, resulting in teeth spaced too far apart.
Diastema can also form if an overgrowth of gum tissue between the two front teeth separate them during development.
Certain bad habits in childhood can greatly affect teeth alignment and cause diastema, such as thumb-sucking or the overuse of pacifiers. Further, adults can develop diastema as a result of incorrect swallowing, occurring when the tongue pushes teeth forward.
Treatment for Diastema
In most cases, diastema is mostly a cosmetic issue that doesn’t affect oral health. However, better alignment always makes for better oral function, which can greatly improve oral health in the long run.
Treatment for diastema is very simple. Orthodontic intervention, even mild treatment, can greatly improve teeth alignment and address gaps between teeth. Patients can opt for traditional metal braces or alternative methods, such as discreet invisible orthodontics and tooth-colored ceramic bracketed braces.
Learn More
We’re always looking to offer the best dental care to our community. If you’re interested in learning more about Diastema, or looking for orthodontic treatment, call our office and schedule an appointment today.