Do you have gaps in your teeth?
At Kai Dental, we frequently address concerns about gappy teeth, or “diastema”.
These gaps are often noticeable and prominent and can lead to reduced confidence in a smile.
PROFESSIONAL DENTISTRY
Causes and Presentation of Gappy Teeth
Gapped teeth present as spaces between two or more teeth, and the gaps can vary in size from small, subtle spaces to large gaps that are more visible.
While diastema can occur anywhere in the mouth, it’s most prevalent between the upper front two teeth.
Gaps in teeth may appear during childhood or develop over time, and there are several causes.
These include:
- Bad habits
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use during childhood can push teeth forward and create gaps. Incorrect swallowing reflex (also referred to as tongue thrusting) and lip sucking can exert pressure on the front teeth. As such, this can cause the teeth to shift outward, creating gaps between them.
- Genetics
Much like you might inherit your mother’s height or your father’s eye colour, the natural spacing of your teeth can be passed down through the generations.
- Gum disease
Advanced gum disease (periodontal disease) can lead to gum recession and weaken the tissues and bones that support teeth. Over time, this weakening can cause teeth to loosen and form noticeable gaps.
- Missing or undersized teeth
If you have missing teeth or unusually small teeth, the neighbouring teeth will move, leaving gaps in their places.
- Natural development
Baby teeth often have gaps between them to allow space for larger adult teeth to come through. Adult teeth may have gaps between them initially, but usually, as you develop more teeth, gaps close naturally.
- Natural jaw and tooth size mismatch
If you have smaller teeth compared to your jawbone, gaps can form between them. This mismatch can affect how your teeth align, leading to spacing issues over time.
- Oversized labial frenum
The labial frenum is the tissue that connects the lip to the gums. If this is larger than usual, it can push the teeth apart.
While teeth gaps are generally harmless and can be a defining feature for many patients, they can widen and become more pronounced – affecting not just the aesthetics but your oral hygiene, speech, and bite, too.
What Problems Can Gappy Teeth Lead To?
For many, gappy teeth are a charming quirk – something that adds individuality to their smile – but they can have their drawbacks, including:
- Oral hygiene problems – Gaps make it difficult to reach and clean between teeth, creating an ideal environment for plaque build-up. Over time, this can escalate gum disease risks, potentially leading to other dental complications like cavities and tooth decay.
- Food trapping – No matter how big or small, gaps make it easier for food particles to get trapped between teeth. This can cause discomfort, sensitivity and, in some cases, inflammation and infection.
- Speech impairments – Large gaps between your front teeth can make it harder to pronounce certain sounds and words, causing a lisp or speech difficulty.
- Self-consciousness – Some individuals may feel less confident about their smile due to noticeable gaps. As a result, they might refrain from sharing genuine smiles or feel self-conscious while speaking or laughing.
- Bite issues – A large gap between the front two teeth might not leave enough space for other teeth to come through, affecting your ability to bite and chew as usual. This can eventually lead to jaw discomfort.
How Do We Fix Gappy Teeth?
Kai Dental takes a holistic approach to address diastema.
Depending on the severity and the patient’s preferences, treatments range from dental bonding and veneers to orthodontic interventions.
Here’s a little more about the treatment options we provide:
Cosmetic dental treatments
- Dental bonding – Often used to close smaller gaps in teeth, a tooth-coloured resin is applied to fill the spaces.
- Porcelain veneers – These thin, custom-made shells are designed to cover the front surface of teeth. Our cosmetic dentistry specialists use them to fix gaps, providing a more permanent solution than composite bonding.
- Dental implants or bridges – For patients with gaps caused by missing teeth, our experts might recommend dental implants or dental bridges to replace them and close the gap. While dental implants offer a long-lasting solution, bridges effectively close gaps and restore functionality.
Orthodontic treatments
After assessing your oral health and discussing your concerns, our team may decide that a teeth straightening treatment is the best way to correct gaps in your teeth.
- Traditional braces – Fixed braces with metal brackets and wires move teeth into better alignment, effectively eliminating spaces between your teeth and leaving you with a beautiful smile at the end of your treatment.
- Removable braces – Kai Dental specialises in Angel Aligners™ and Invisalign clear aligners. These orthodontic devices gradually move teeth into the desired position – closing any unwanted gaps in your smile – without any of the disadvantages of traditional braces.
- Retainers – Wearing a retainer after having braces is crucial to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Our orthodontist will always advise on how often you’ll need to wear your retainer to ensure new gaps don’t form and old ones don’t reappear.
Surgical treatments
- Frenectomy – Occasionally, patients will require adjunctive surgical procedures to close teeth gaps. If a large frenum is pushing the teeth apart, a frenectomy will release the tissue and allow the teeth to close together.
At Kai Dental, we ensure personalised care to restore both the beauty and functionality of your smile.
Professional dentistry
Interested in gappy teeth treatment?
Offering a wide range of options for patients with missing teeth or unsightly teeth gaps, you needn’t look any further than Kai Dental.
Whether you need porcelain veneers, implants, or Invisalign® treatment to close gaps between teeth, our team will talk you through the process step by step and answer any questions you have.
It’s our honesty and transparency about our procedures, techniques, and costs that set us apart from other cosmetic dentists – explaining why we attract patients from London and further afield!
We also provide finance options to make our treatments more accessible to everyone. That means you can spread the cost and pay monthly for your gappy teeth treatment in Queensway or at our dental clinic Notting Hill.
So, why not make an appointment at our modern dental practice today?
We are Kai Dental
Treatment Spotlight
Invisalign
Invisalign provides a modern orthodontic approach to discreetly straighten teeth using clear aligners. Invisalign is available in more than 45 countries.
Ceramic Braces
Long gone are the days of avoiding Braces based on aesthetics alone. Now, Braces can be virtually unnoticeable.
Cosmetic Bonding
Many people with discoloured, chipped, gapped, or even short teeth feel embarrassed to smile or cover their mouths when laughing. Cosmetic bonding can return your confidence with a brighter, fuller smile.
Fixed Braces
Fixed braces are a great solution to fixed any problems with your bite, or the straightness of your teeth.
Invisalign
Invisalign provides a modern orthodontic approach to discreetly straighten teeth using clear aligners. Invisalign is available in more than 45 countries.
Ceramic Braces
Long gone are the days of avoiding Braces based on aesthetics alone. Now, Braces can be virtually unnoticeable.
Cosmetic Bonding
Many people with discoloured, chipped, gapped, or even short teeth feel embarrassed to smile or cover their mouths when laughing. Cosmetic bonding can return your confidence with a brighter, fuller smile.
Fixed Braces
Fixed braces are a great solution to fixed any problems with your bite, or the straightness of your teeth.
Professional Dentistry
