Even if you’ve taken great care of your teeth over the years by brushing twice daily, flossing after every meal, and visiting your dentist regularly, you may be wishing for a brilliant white smile – one without the gap between your front teeth.
Spaces between your teeth may be minimal, but they can still make you feel a bit self-conscious. In fact, you may even refrain from showing your teeth when you smile due to the gaps in your teeth. Fortunately, there are several dental procedures that can be used to fix gaps between the teeth.
A great solution for creating the smile that you want is to get dental veneers for front tooth gaps. And here we’ll explore what causes gapped teeth and how correcting them can lead to greater oral health.
Would you like to know how veneers can help with front tooth gaps? Reach out to Alaska Dental Arts today and talk to a professional dentist.
What Are the Causes of Gapped Teeth?
Perhaps the most common cause for gaps between front teeth is due to natural development. This is when the frenum – the part of the gums attached to the upper lip at the center of the front teeth – sits lower than is considered usual. However, there are several additional causes for gapped teeth.
A few other causes for gapped teeth are:
- Missing teeth
- Extra teeth
- Large jaw
- Smaller teeth
- Jaw and teeth arrangement
Regarding natural development, baby teeth often have spaces between them to allow for the adult teeth to come in. But depending on how your permanent teeth come in, these can also have significant space between them. And if gaps do form, this has a lot to do with your jawline, the number of teeth in your mouth, and how each permanent tooth grows in.
Problems With Gapped Front Teeth
Affecting your self-confidence is one possible issue with gapped front teeth. But aside from this, widely spaced teeth can also affect overall oral health.
Gapped front teeth can easily trap loose food particles. And this can cause a build-up of bacteria and plaque near the gums. If left untreated, the buildup of bacteria can ultimately lead to several oral health issues such as tooth decay, loose teeth, gingivitis, and periodontitis – otherwise known as gum disease.
It’s also good to note that front tooth gaps can also cause a misaligned jaw that will eventually affect your bite. This is known to make actions such as chewing and swallowing difficult or painful, and it can also cause significant pain in the jaw and ear.
Additionally, painful chewing may also inadvertently cause you to take larger bites or swallow large amounts of food which can lead to further health complications such as digestive problems.
Solutions for Correcting Front Tooth Gaps
Overall, there are several methods for correcting front tooth gaps. And many of the methods can prevent damage to teeth, improve your smile, and correspondingly improve your self-confidence.
If you’re interested in correcting front tooth gaps, a preferable option is to choose dental veneers as a solution. However, you’ll want to talk with your dentist to get the best guidance on the options for correcting gapped teeth. And for more complicated oral issues, you’ll likely want to a prosthodontist – a dentist with experience and training in restoring teeth.
A few common solutions for fixing gapped front teeth include:
- Veneers
- Oral surgery
- Frenectomy
- Fixed appliances (braces, Invisalign, etc.)
- Removable appliances
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
- Crowns
- Composite fillings
Depending on the structure of your jaw, the alignment of your teeth, and the overall quality of oral hygiene in your mouth, your dentist will assess the best possible remedy for fixing gaps in your front teeth.
Dental Veneers for Front Tooth Gaps
Veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures today. And these are basically super-thin shells that are cemented onto the surface of existing teeth in order to cover flaws that are apparent whenever you smile.
Whether you wish to hide stained, misaligned, broken, chipped teeth, or gapped teeth, veneers may be the perfect solution, and the entire process can be completed relatively quickly – often in as little as a couple of weeks.
It’s important to note that veneers may not be able to hide large gaps in the teeth, but they are very efficient at closing smaller gaps between the front teeth. And this is done by placing larger veneers over the two teeth forming the gap.
How are Dental Veneers Installed?
The basic procedure for installing dental veneers includes the removal of tooth enamel in very small portions. This is done so that plenty of room is created for the veneers to be placed over the teeth – thus keeping your teeth from looking “fat” or bulky.
After taking impressions of the teeth, whether through the use of digital images or a soft mold, a dentist will then have the veneers fabricated to fit your teeth perfectly. And this is a process that can typically take a couple of weeks. In the meantime, you’ll likely have temporary veneers installed to help protect your teeth from acids and other corrosive liquids while eating and drinking.
When your custom veneers are ready, your dentist will then remove the temporary veneers and make any adjustments necessary to fit your permanent veneers over your teeth – hiding the gaps and giving you the smile you’ve always desired.
It’s also good to point out that veneers can become stained if made from composite materials. This is why many cosmetic dentists recommend porcelain veneers due to their higher stain resistance and longevity, as most porcelain veneers can last a full decade as long as you practice proper oral hygiene.
Caring for Your Veneers
Veneers are actually quite easy to take care of as long as you keep a daily oral hygiene regimen. Unlike braces that require constant upkeep and maintenance, regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the steps you should take daily to keep your veneers bright and clean.
When brushing, you’ll want to use non-abrasive toothpaste and (ideally) brush your teeth after every meal. At the very least, brushing twice a day (morning and evening) is recommended.
Flossing follows the same principle as brushing. While flossing after every meal is ideal for keeping food out from in between your teeth, flossing at least once a day is often recommended by most dentists.
When it comes to rinsing, using an antiseptic mouthwash is often recommended at least once daily in order to rinse away any bacteria that may be lurking in your mouth. However, it’s best to choose a mouthwash or antiseptic rinse that is alcohol-free. This is because over-exposure to alcohol can loosen or soften the cement that holds the veneers onto your teeth. And this can also make your veneers deteriorate over time.
All in all, if you practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly, your veneers should last for many years and you’ll enjoy a great smile and improved self-confidence.
Would you like to know how veneers can help with front tooth gaps? Reach out to Alaska Dental Arts today and talk to a professional dentist.
