Your smile is often your first introduction in the world. It’s the first thing people notice about you, and it can invite people to get to know you. However, if you feel self-conscious about a gap in your teeth, you could be holding back your smile.
Don’t let a little gap keep you feeling down about yourself. There are plenty of ways to close a teeth gap and start appearing more confident. Whether you prefer the do-it-yourself approach or something more professional, there’s a way for you to get the smile of your dreams.
How Do Gaps Form Between Teeth?
To choose the best gap-closing method for you, you should understand why these gaps in your teeth have formed in the first place. A space between two teeth is called a diastema, which is a common occurrence that is not life-threatening. However, it can cause pain and discomfort.
There are plenty of different causes of diastemas. Some of these reasons are preventable, while others are merely genetic. Here are some potential causes:
- Missing teeth
- Undersized teeth
- Mismatched jaw bone sizes
- Large labial frenum
- Thumb sucking
- Trouble swallowing
- Gum disease
Whatever caused your gap in the first place, there is a solution for you.
Can I Fix the Gap Between My Teeth Myself?
Do you have the DIY spirit? Are you the type of person who repairs everything yourself? If so, you may look for ways to close the gap in your teeth at home.
What you will find are Teeth Bands, or DIY braces, which have become popular in recent years. The idea behind this product is that you place a small band around the teeth you want to move each night. Over time, you may close the space between those teeth.
While this has worked for some people, use extreme caution if you choose this method. You could end up making things worse or failing to address the underlying cause of the gap between your teeth.
Straightening teeth is an exact science that demands precision and a deep understanding of the human mouth. When you try to take on something so finicky, you can create problems. You can accidentally move teeth at the wrong angle, cause more gaps, and cause gum problems.
Overall, DIY braces can leave you needing more dental work than you would have if you had seen a dentist in the first place. It’s a gamble that we can’t recommend. After all, we value your oral health and safety first and foremost.
What Can a Dentist Do to Fix the Gap?
Often, when people think of ways that dentists can fix a gap in their teeth, they imagine clunky, expensive braces. Luckily, Ideal Dental Solutions has come a long way since the days of braces like that. We offer a variety of solutions that are much better than those wire braces you saw as a kid.
Retainers
A retainer is often the most straightforward and cost-effective way to close a gap in teeth. We can set you up with a removable retainer that fits your needs. This solution is best for people whose space occurred due to shifting in the teeth. However, it may be great for other patients as well.
Unfortunately, this approach to closing a space between teeth does take longer than others. Furthermore, you may need to occasionally wear your retainer for the foreseeable future to ensure that the teeth do not drift apart again.
Dental Bonding
If chipping caused the gap between your teeth, dental bonding might be the best solution. In this procedure, one of our dentists applies a resin to the damaged tooth that is the same color. After the solution has set, it will look like there was never a gap.
This method is perhaps the quickest way to fill in a space between your teeth. It is also cost-effective and proven to be safe. However, it’s necessary to keep up with the maintenance that we recommend after dental bonding to ensure the tooth looks great for years to come.
Veneers
Do you want a smile as perfect as porcelain? If so, veneers might be right for you. If you choose this option, one of our dentists will smooth out the affected teeth and then place a porcelain set over those teeth. The veneers look real and can last 15 years or longer.
While veneers are more expensive than retainers and bonding up front, the procedure is meant to last and can save you money in maintenance costs.
If you have a space between your teeth that you would rather see closed, contact Ideal Dental Solutions today. We can help you find the solution that makes sense for your smile and your budget.
