What's the Best Treatment for Closing the Gap in My Front Teeth?

Nearly 25% of American adults have a gap between their front teeth. The condition, medically known as maxillary midline diastema, isn’t necessarily a problem, but it can affect your confidence and increase the risk of gum disease and difficulty biting and chewing.

At Family Dental Group in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, our team led by Nikhil Lavana, DMD, and Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, often treats gaps between the front teeth with cosmetic dentistry. Keep reading to explore several techniques that can help transform your smile.

What causes gaps to form between the front teeth?

Gaps between your front teeth can occur for various reasons, with genetics being the most common cause. For example, some people have teeth smaller than their jawbones, which increases the risk of tooth misalignment. Most folks “grow into” their teeth as they become adults, but this doesn’t always happen.

Other things that may increase the risk of a gap include:

• Periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease
• Overgrowth of the frenum, the skin between the top lip and front teeth
• Thumb sucking
• Tongue thrusting

Regardless of the cause, plenty of treatments can improve tooth alignment and your smile’s appearance.

3 treatments for fixing a gap between the front teeth

We provide several types of treatment to correct gaps between the front teeth, including:

1. Veneers

Veneers are paper-thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that we bond to the surfaces of your teeth. They make your smile look more symmetrical, and can also cover gaps between the teeth, as well as stains and chips. 

Veneers last 12-15 years on average, but to get them, we must remove a thin layer of enamel from each tooth. The enamel doesn’t grow back, so your teeth may be more sensitive afterward.

2. Dental bonding

We may suggest dental bonding if you’re happy with your smile and only want to fix the gap between your front teeth. Bonding uses a tooth-colored resin to fill the space and doesn’t involve any enamel removal. The procedure is quick, affordable, and entirely reversible, so if you decide you prefer the gap in your smile, we can easily remove the bonding material.

3. Invisalign®

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that improves the alignment of your teeth. It uses clear, plastic aligners to move your two front teeth into the desired position, closing the gap and transforming your smile.

Invisalign takes longer than other forms of treatment, but the results are permanent, so you don’t have to worry about regular touch-ups like you do with veneers and dental bonding.

Contact us to request a cosmetic dentistry consultation today!

If you have a gap between your front teeth and want to correct the issue, contact Family Dental Group today. After an oral exam, dental X-rays, and discussing your goals, we can make personalized treatment recommendations. Call our nearest office or book your appointment online.