Solutions For Large Gaps Between Teeth

Large gaps between teeth might seem like just a cosmetic issue but they can actually affect your oral health in several ways. While some people might focus on how these gaps look, there are important reasons to address them beyond appearance.

Gaps can lead to difficulties with chewing and speaking, cause teeth to shift and even create opportunities for gum problems. In this article, we’ll dive into why these gaps are more than meets the eye and why it’s important to address them to keep your dental health and smile in top shape.

Why are large gaps between teeth concerning?

Having gaps in your teeth can affect both your appearance and self-esteem. When someone feels self-conscious about their smile, they might try to hide it by keeping their lips closed or covering their mouth with their hand, which can come across as awkward and reserved. This self-conscious behavior can impact social interactions and overall confidence.

In addition to aesthetic concerns, health issues from large teeth gaps are a genuine concern as food particles can easily get trapped in these spaces, promoting bacterial growth and plaque formation. Filling these gaps can significantly enhance speech clarity by ensuring that the teeth fit together properly, reducing any speech impediments caused by the gaps. Moreover, proper alignment improves the efficiency of chewing and biting, making eating more comfortable and effective.

What treatments are available to address large gaps between teeth?

1. Traditional metal braces: They move teeth using wires and metal brackets bonded to your teeth and held in place with colourful rubber bands. Traditional braces are a tried and tested method for correcting teeth spacing issues. They apply continuous pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. However, this is usually the most painful option as the metal parts of the braces can rub against and cut the gums, lips and cheeks.

2. Damon clear ceramic braces: Damon braces represent an innovative shift in orthodontic treatment, offering several advantages over traditional braces. They are less noticeable because they blend better with your tooth color and are generally more comfortable, causing less pain and often requiring a shorter treatment time. Additionally, they do not use rubber bands, which can trap food and bacteria, making them easier to clean after meals.

3. Invisalign: Invisalign for teeth gaps offer a more aesthetically pleasing treatment option for teeth straightening and closing gaps compared to traditional metal braces. The clear aligner trays are almost invisible, therefore it is the preferred option for people who want to look good and present a professional image.

4. Ceramic veneers: Veneers are custom-made to suit the shape, size, and colour of your face. Different teeth shapes will impart a different personality to the smile. These are thin shells of ceramic teeth gap solutions that are adhered to the tooth on the front to close the gaps.

5. Ceramic crown: On a tooth that has been heavily damaged due to root canal treatments and large cavities, the crown restores both structure and strength that have been compromised by chips and cracks. Crowns can be made to close existing gaps as well.

6. Dental implants: For missing teeth or large gaps (big enough to fit a single tooth), a dental implant is a great option to restore the gap. This is a very small but strong post which replaces a missing tooth. Properly done, it can look natural like the neighbouring teeth. 

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Which treatment is suitable for me?

Orthodontic teeth straightening, which refers to any type of braces or Invisalign, is usually appropriate for the majority of cases where closing large gaps between teeth is desired. The teeth that are in a poor position can be moved into their proper position to result in a beautiful and natural smile.

In cases when there are multiple gaps between teeth or if the current shape and the size of the teeth are not proportionate to the facial aesthetics, then crowns or veneers can be done instead. Generally speaking, a crown is done if the teeth are decayed or a root canal procedure has been carried out, resulting in not enough material left for the dentist to place a veneer. For large gaps or gaps that are present due to missing teeth, dental implants would be a good option.

Talking to your dentist or orthodontist is key to figuring out the best way to close those large gaps between your teeth. They’ll take a close look at your specific situation—like the size of the gaps and your overall dental health—to find the right treatment for you. This helps ensure you get a solution that works well with your smile and keeps your oral health in check. Plus, they’ll map out a clear treatment plan, including how long it will take and any follow-up steps, so you know exactly what to expect. 

Interested in booking a consultation appointment for the large gaps in your teeth? Just drop us a message here and we will get back to you!

References

1. Chenin DA, Trosien AH, Fong PF, Miller RA, Lee RS. Orthodontic treatment with a series of removable appliances. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Sep;134(9):1232-9. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0358. Erratum in: J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Oct;134(10):1322. PMID: 14528995.
2. Kravitz ND, Kusnoto B, BeGole E, Obrez A, Agran B. How well does Invisalign work? A prospective clinical study evaluating the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2009 Jan;135(1):27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.05.018. PMID: 19121497.