What causes a tooth gap?

A diastema is a space or gap between two teeth. These spaces can form or appear anywhere in the mouth, but they are most noticeable between the front teeth. Some gaps can be small and not noticeable. Still, other gaps can be significant and very evident to everyone else. Hence, some people find them undesirable and even stop smiling. Teeth gaps can have different causes; they can be genetic, caused by teeth size, bad habits, and more.

Are teeth gaps bad?

No, teeth gaps are not a health issue. However, some people do not like how their teeth look. That is why teeth gaps are aesthetical problems, not health ones.

Are teeth gaps genetic?

As stated before, teeth gaps can have multiple causes. Genetic factors can indeed cause gaps, but other reasons for them.

What causes teeth gaps?

Even when tooth gaps may not seem obvious, the dentist needs to know each patient’s specific case to make a correct diagnosis and recommend the best treatment. The most common reasons for tooth gaps are the following:

• Genetics. There are genetic factors that can cause gaps between teeth.

• The mismatch between jaw and teeth. Sometimes there can be a mismatch between teeth and the jaw, which translates to teeth coming out and making it seem as if they were separated.

• Bad Habits. Habits such as thumb-sucking or biting objects can be harmful to your teeth and even create gaps between them.

• Bruxism. Bruxism is the clenching of teeth due to psychological reasons that can happen during the day or while sleeping. Some people clench their jaw so hard that they break and wear down their dentures over time. However, people can also develop tooth gaps due to constant clenching.

Treatments

Every treatment depends on each specific case. That is why you need to visit your dentist to get the best diagnosis and plan for yours. However, some of the most common treatments are the following:

Orthodontics. Traditional dental braces have wires and brackets that can close dental gaps or separate crowded teeth. Other types of orthodontics, such as sublingual braces, can also help fix this problem.

Dental bonding. This is the most common treatment for diastemas or does not suffer from other dental health issues. Dental bonding consists of the application of a colored resin to fill the gap between the teeth. This treatment is so popular since it is fast, cheap, and does not affect other teeth. 

Dental veneers. Another popular treatment consists of dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin shells that are attached and simulate the natural color of your teeth. Veneers can be made of ceramic or composite resin. They can drastically improve the appearance of your front teeth since they do not only close the gap between them. Also, they give a more aesthetical finish while looking like natural teeth. 

Teeth gap treatment costs

The total cost of fixing a gap between your teeth depends on the type of treatment. As stated before, the most common treatment for teeth gaps are orthodontic treatments, mainly traditional braces. Therefore, the treatments’ costs can go between $400 (for dental bonding) up to $3,000 (if you plan to start orthodontics treatments).

What about teeth gap bands? Do they work?

Using teeth gap bands or any other DIY methods to try to close teeth gaps is dangerous. Sometimes teeth weaken and can fall out since there is a lot of constant stress over them. Try to visit your dentist before trying any DIY treatment. You can come to Somos Dental and get a free dental appointment to know the best treatments according to your needs.

Where to fix teeth with gaps in the Phoenix Metro area? If you are looking for a place to close or fix a gap between your teeth, you can come to Somos Dental. At Somos dental, we work with different methods to fix teeth gaps. You can call us or fill our online form that includes a free appointment. You can also find us at any of our six locations in Downtown Phoenix, Avondale, Mesa, Desert Sky Mall, Camelback, and Laveen.