Gaps Between Teeth
Serving Patients from Medford, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Yreka and Central Point
Having gaps between your teeth is a fairly common condition. Such a gap between the two top front teeth is the most common, and many people who have this gap have learned to embrace it as part of their “character.” In fact, there are even some cases of individuals who have worked with cosmetic dentists to create this gap where one did not previously exist. These gaps are often referred to as diastemas, and the term applies to any gap between any two teeth.
Causes
There are three common causes for gapped teeth, and they are often the result of heredity. If your teeth are smaller than your jaw, then this can result in multiple gaps. On the flip side, those with teeth too large for their jaw will experience crowded teeth - usually resulting in one or more teeth shifting in front of or behind the normal tooth line.
Oftentimes a diastema between the upper two front teeth is the result of an overdeveloped labial frenum. The labial frenum is the string of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum line between the upper front teeth. Overdevelopment of this tissue can prevent the upper front teeth from coming together properly.
There are those individuals do never fully develop their upper lateral incisors. These are the two teeth immediately to the left and right of the top two front teeth. Without these two teeth, the existing teeth will shift to fill these gaps, thereby producing more gaps between the existing teeth.
What can be done?
There are a variety of different treatments for diastema ranging from traditional orthodontics to instant orthodontics, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, or removal of part of the labial frenum. The appropriate treatment will depend mainly on what is causing the gap or gaps. You may choose - as many do - to do nothing about it. However, if your gap is particularly pronounced, it may lead to future dental complications. Your dentist will alert you to these if he or she feels you may be putting yourself at risk by doing nothing.
An examination by a cosmetic dentist will help you decide which option is right for you. If you live in Southern Oregon and wish to correct your gapped teeth, or have further concerns about your diastema, please contact us today to arrange a consultation.
800.899.6990
Contact Us
Eagle Point Dental Center for Advanced Dentistry
217 W. Main St
Eagle Point, OR 97524
