![]() ![]() Crowns fit over the entire tooth, while veneers cover only the front. They might, however, solve the problem of a tooth gap. Crowns and veneers are most often used to cap or cover teeth that have decayed, or that have chips, cracks, or are discolored. This could give the teeth an odd, unnatural looking shape, so it is best used only for narrow gaps.Ĭrowns or Veneers. If the gap is too large, it could take a lot of material. The dentist can “build up” the surfaces between two teeth, closing the amount of space between them. Bonding involves adding small amounts of tooth-colored composite material to the tooth. Cosmetic bonding won’t move teeth to close a gap, but it can mask its appearance. A frenectomy might be followed by braces or Invisalign to move the teeth into place.īonding. If this small section of tissue is forcing the front teeth apart, its removal will allow the gap to close. A frenectomy is a simple procedure where the piece of tissue that attaches the top lip to the gums is surgically removed. If a gap starts to reappear several months or years after a patient has had his or her teeth moved, a retainer might be useful all by itself to fix the problem.įrenectomy. Retainers are usually used after braces or Invisalign treatment to keep recently moved teeth in alignment. Unless a gap is very wide and there are a lot of other things to fix, Invisalign can probably be just as effective. Treatment can also take longer and be more painful. Even clear braces are more noticeable than Invisalign, and they can’t be removed for eating and brushing. They can move even the most stubborn teeth just about anywhere.īraces have their drawbacks, though. Braces use a lot of force to move teeth, so if a patient has a huge gap or another serious alignment issue, they might be the best bet. If a space is too wide, or if the teeth are extremely crooked, traditional braces might get better results. It’s also important to note that Invisalign is meant for mild to moderate problems, so it may not be the best choice for all tooth-alignment issues. If the gap is large, it could take longer. The process takes on average from six months to a year. ![]() At the same time, any other teeth that are crowded together or crooked can be moved and corrected too. With each new set, the hard plastic aligner tray moves the teeth closer together, eventually closing the gap. The sets are switched out for new ones every two weeks. These trays are custom made from 3D imprints of a patient’s teeth and are worn for about 22 hours each day. Invisalign gradually moves teeth using clear plastic aligner trays. Either the teeth need to move, or something must be done to mask or hide the space. There are basically two ways to get rid of a tooth gap. A large tooth gap might also cause a lisp, whistle, or other speech problem. They may not like the way it looks with a wide space, especially if it’s front-and-center when they smile. More often, patients want to fix their gaps for cosmetic reasons. If a patient is diligent about their oral hygiene, a gap doesn’t have to cause a problem. And a large area of exposed gum tissue can make gum disease a possibility. In terms of dental health, it can be easy for decay-causing food to get caught in spaces between teeth, forming cavities. But in some cases, gaps can be problematic. Some celebrities are even known for their gapped teeth. Spaces between teeth might not seem like a big deal. Some babies also have tongue thrust, which is a problem with the swallowing reflex that can help form a space.įinally, gum disease can cause a deterioration of the tooth enamel, which will widen any gaps that already exist. Chronic thumb sucking may force the teeth apart. This condition, as well as the size of the teeth and jaw, aure usually hereditary. ![]() This is called the frenum, or frenulum, and if it is too big, it can extend down between the two teeth, pushing them apart. This usually happens when the size of a person’s teeth are small in relation to the size of their jaw.Īnother cause of a gap between the front teeth is the small piece of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums. The most common place for a gap is right between the front teeth (called incisors) but gaps can appear anywhere in the mouth. The medical term for a space between the teeth is a diastema, and some can be quite wide. Extended frenum (piece of tissue connecting the lip to gums.Teeth are small relative to size of the jaw.So, when patients ask our dentists “Does Invisalign work for closing gaps?” we point them to following facts: What Causes Gaps Between Teeth? And while Invisalign is well known as an alternative to braces for straightening teeth, it is also a good option for mild to moderate crowding and crookedness. Gaps between teeth are one of the top complaints that patients have when asked about how they feel about their smile. ![]()
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