Many people have a gap between their front teeth, which is called a diastema in Oshawa. Some people like their gap and feel it celebrates their personality and individuality, in which case, there is probably no need to think about replacing it. However, others find that the diastema detracts from their smile and would prefer to close it.
What is a Diastema?
Diastemas can occur between other teeth, but are most common between the two upper front teeth. Usually, having a diastema is a cosmetic issue, but sometimes it can be due to other reasons. These can include:
- Gum disease that has destroyed the jawbone, resulting in teeth becoming loose and gaps developing.
- An oversize frenum, which is the stretchy piece of tissue connecting your lips to your gums.
- Because teeth are too small.
- An abnormal swallowing reflex.
Treating a Diastema
If you have a diastema and would prefer to close it, schedule an appointment to visit us at Margolian Dentistry. Our dentist can examine your teeth and determine the reason for your diastema. The treatment we recommend will depend on whether the issue is due to gum disease or if it is cosmetically oriented.
If the issue is related to oral health, we can devise a suitable treatment plan for problems such as gum disease. Otherwise, we can discuss cosmetically oriented treatments.
Several cosmetic treatments exist for diastemas.
Porcelain Veneers
Using porcelain veneers to close or minimize gaps between teeth can be very successful. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain, custom-made to fit over a front tooth. We can custom-design these veneers to close or reduce gaps between teeth, creating a more uniform and pleasing appearance.
The process of making and fitting porcelain veneers is minimally invasive, as we typically only need to remove a small amount of tooth enamel to prepare the teeth for veneers. Once prepared, we take a detailed digital dental impression that is used to custom-make your new veneers.
When the veneers are ready, we try them in, ensure they fit perfectly, and then bond them permanently to your teeth. Porcelain veneers are long-lasting and stain-resistant, so with proper care, you can enjoy them for years to come.
Invisalign
When a diastema is large, another option is to consider Invisalign clear aligners in Whitby. This is an orthodontic treatment that can realign teeth, helping to close spaces between them.
If a space can’t be closed entirely using Invisalign, then we can correct it using porcelain veneers afterwards.
With Invisalign, you wear a series of clear, custom-designed plastic aligners that apply gentle pressure to your teeth, helping them move into their predetermined positions. The entire process is planned digitally, providing predictable results.
Invisalign is minimally disruptive to everyday life since you remove the aligners for oral care and meals. It may be a useful treatment if your teeth are significantly misaligned, and sometimes correcting this issue can promote better oral health while providing cosmetic benefits.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is probably the fastest and most cost-effective solution for a diastema in Ajax. During this treatment, we use tooth coloured composite resin in an appropriate shade that blends in with your natural teeth.
The resin is applied directly to the teeth, cured with a special light, and then shaped and polished to look and feel natural. The result should last for several years before you need to think about replacing dental bonding.
Frenectomy
If you have an especially large frenum connecting your upper lip to your gums, it can push teeth apart. A frenectomy is a small procedure that releases the frenum, helping to close the gap.
A frenectomy is often performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like veneers or dental bonding.
