Keeping The Tooth Gap
You've always had that little gap between your front teeth, and over the years, it's become a signature part of your style. If you have tooth issues, you may be considering adult braces or veneers. Should you keep your gap?
Causes
These spaces are called diastemas and can occur between any two teeth, although they are often between your front two teeth. These spaces can result from a variety of causes. You may have missing teeth or even some small teeth that are causing this space. If you were a thumb sucker as a child, that habit may have been a cause for your gap. Also, you can cause a space by pushing your tongue against your teeth when you are swallowing. In the worst cases, gum disease can cause loose and misspaced teeth.
Treatment
Obviously, you need to have gum disease treated to protect your remaining teeth and overall health.To close this gap, your dentist can choose from several effective methods. Your dentist can simply give you a retainer for small gaps, and the area can often be closed quite quickly. In some instances, full braces are the answer. You may be a candidate for surgery that moves a muscle to keep the teeth in place. You may also want to consider veneers, porcelain fixtures that are permanently applied to the top of your teeth. By making the veneers slightly larger than your actual teeth, the veneers hide the space and give you that "Hollywood" smile.
Need
In some instances, a diastema may need to be fixed to improve your dental health, particularly if the space continues to widen. In other instances, fixing it is purely for cosmetic reasons. Although many people still want the "perfect" smile, others think that their gap gives their face more personality. Some celebrities, such as Jewel, have made their flawed teeth a trademark. Even if you plan to fix the rest of your teeth with braces or veneers, you can choose to leave the gap between your front teeth if you wish as long as your dentist approves.
Consult with your dental professional about the space or spaces in your teeth to find out what type of treatment is best for you. Dental health problems must be addressed, but cosmetic dentistry offers you many options. Remember, the perfect smile for you may include a gap or two. You can fix your teeth and retain your unique look.