The Toothache That Changed My Life

If you have a gap between two of your teeth, you have a dental condition called diastema. This can occur from multiple sources, from sucking on your thumb as a baby to simple genetics. If you were someone that thrusted against your front teeth often with your tongue as a child, that could have also contributed to the space between your teeth. Here are some different ways to treat a diastema  

Orthodontic Treatment

One of the more common ways to correct a diastema is to get orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear, plastic aligners. If you also have other alignment issues with your teeth or jaw, you might want to get braces. There are traditional metal braces, which are very effective and often the more affordable option. You might also want braces that are a little less noticeable, such as tooth-colored ceramic braces. Lingual braces are another option, which go behind the teeth instead of in front of them. When the space between your teeth is the main issue, plastic aligners, such as with Invisalign, work very well at correcting the problem.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are made from thin pieces of porcelain that are custom-made to fit over your teeth. They only cover the top surface of the teeth and are therefore only for cosmetic purposes. If you have a diastema, you can get veneers over both teeth affected by the gap, where the veneers are sized and placed carefully as to close the gap between the natural teeth. While these are a little more expensive than the other options, they allow you to have beautiful, white teeth with no gaps. The process is also done as soon as the veneers are bonded to the teeth, as opposed to waiting years for braces to work.

Bonding and Filling

A more affordable way to fill the gap without getting braces is with bonding and filling. A filling material can be used to fill the space, then bonding is placed over the teeth to make the teeth look more natural. Bonding uses a type of putty that is the same color of your teeth. Your dentist can mold and shape it over the teeth after filling the space to make it look as if there was never a space between the teeth. It is then polished afterward, where they look just like your other teeth. This is another way to get immediate results. 

Speak to your dentist (go to this website for further assistance) about your diastema and the different treatment options available.