Why Do I Have a Gap Between my Front Teeth?
A Diastema or gap between two teeth can be the reason for a patient to choose orthodontic treatment. Commonly seen between the upper two front teeth – gaps can be the result of too much space created by really small teeth and over-sized jaws or due to a physical hindrance such as an over-developed frenum (the little piece of tissue that attaches the upper lip to gingival tissue). And gaps between teeth can appear as a result of a child having an oral habit like thumb or finger sucking and tongue thrust – habits that push the upper teeth outwards, creating a gap.
Regardless of the reason behind a gappy smile – there are always treatment options available to close the gap and restore a person’s smile – that’s if they want to. Some people love having a gap between their teeth – it’s part of who they are, and they wouldn’t consider changing it. But for some individuals having a gap between their teeth is a source of embarrassment and frustration, causing someone to become self-conscious of their smile. Sometimes patients report gum tissue around the gap becomes irritated due to the lack of protection of properly aligned teeth – making biting in to certain foods not only challenging but painful.
What can you do if you’re bothered by a gap between your teeth? If the gap is a result of misaligned teeth or issues with jaw development; orthodontic treatment can provide a solution that not only closes the gap but addresses the underlying cause. Closing the gap is often viewed as an esthetic result – but when treatment also encompasses correcting bite concerns that are contributing to other dental health issues then the result goes far beyond esthetics and involves a person’s overall oral health.
Orthodontic treatment can be the solution for correcting esthetic and functional issues; as once you improve the function of a mouth, the esthetics will naturally also improve – and this includes issues like gaps and misaligned teeth.