How to close gaps in teeth without braces
Feeling self-conscious of the gaps between your teeth? Maybe you don’t like the look of them or find that food gets trapped, causing issues with your gums. Fortunately, that gap doesn’t have to be permanent. There are several treatments available for this common cosmetic concern, one of the options is to use Toothfairy™ clear aligners, so you can achieve both aesthetic and health benefits for your smile.
Why do you have teeth gaps?
A gap between two teeth is also known as a “diastema.” These teeth gaps tend to appear between the two upper front teeth, but gaps can occur between any two teeth, and have several causes depending on the individual. So, what are some of the reasons people have teeth gaps?
- A mismatch between the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth. If your jawbone is too large and your teeth too small, you may experience extra space between teeth.
- An oversized labial frenum (the piece of tissue extending from the inside of your upper lip to the gums) can create a gap. Sometimes, it can grow too large and pass between the two front teeth, blocking the natural closure of the space between these teeth.
- Missing or undersized teeth can cause neighbouring teeth to move and attempt to help close one gap. This movement can create new gaps between teeth.
- Bad habits like thumb sucking can pull the front teeth forward and create gaps.
- Gum disease causes your jawbone to weaken and recede. As the jawbone supports your teeth, losing bone can cause them to become loose and move.
- Spaces can develop due to an improper swallowing reflex. When you swallow, your tongue should press against the roof of your mouth, but some people push their tongue forward against their front teeth. This pressure will cause teeth to move, creating a gap between front teeth.
Even if your teeth gaps don’t bother you from an aesthetic point of view, it’s important to get the diastema checked by a dentist in case of gum disease or an improper bite, which could lead to chipped or broken teeth. These are some of the options to correct teeth gaps:
Dental Bonding
Bonding is a quick and cost-effective cosmetic treatment that can hide small gaps and improve the appearance of your smile. A dentist will simply apply a composite resin material to the sides of the teeth closest to the gap, then carefully sculpt it to make the teeth look wider, thereby closing the gap. The composite resin is tooth colored so it blends in perfectly with your natural teeth for a flawless result.
Orthodontic Treatment
For larger gaps and gaps accompanied by other misalignment problems such as an overbite, or underbite, orthodontic treatment may be needed to reposition the teeth. The most effective, quick and pain-free method is to use clear aligners by Toothfairy™. These teeth aligners work by putting pressure on the teeth to shift them into the desired position, gradually moving the teeth ligaments. By adjusting the shape and size of your dental arches, the teeth are moved into their ideal alignment, closing the gap, and because the aligners are made from durable yet flexible plastic, they can be removed and cleaned, leading to a healthier smile than when fixed braces are used.
Clear aligners have become much more cost and time efficient than other methods. Thanks to innovative advances in tech-based dentistry, this method even cuts out the hassle of having to make dentist appointments, giving you your most naturally straight smile at a fraction of the clinic cost.
Porcelain Veneers
Another option that can be used to conceal a small gap between your teeth is to have one or more porcelain veneers placed. A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance. Similar to composite bonding, you can have two veneers placed over the teeth closest to the gap to slightly widen them and hide the gap.
Talk to Toothfairy™
If you’re feeling insecure about your smile, book a free video consultation with Toothfairy™ and start your teeth straightening transformation today. Find out more here: https://www.toothfairyapp.co.uk/teeth-straightening/
Last updated on February 7, 2024
Dr. Deepak Aulak
Dr. Deepak Aulak is a London-based dental practitioner with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Having graduated from King's College London in Dentistry, Dr. Aulak was decorated with over a dozen awards and scholarships along the way, which notably include the Jelf Medal, Malleson Prize for research and GKT Hospital's Full Shields.
Dr. Deepak Aulak
Dr. Deepak Aulak is a London-based dental practitioner with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Having graduated from King's College London in Dentistry, Dr. Aulak was decorated with over a dozen awards and scholarships along the way, which notably include the Jelf Medal, Malleson Prize for research and GKT Hospital's Full Shields.