Mind the Gap: Treatment Options for Gapped Teeth
Here at Heringer Dentistry, we believe in helping people in and around Bismarck have healthy and beautiful smiles. This can be achieved through cosmetic dentistry treatments that makeover smiles, restorative procedures that enhance overall dental wellness, and advanced therapies that use tried and true techniques as well as state-of-the-art approaches to improving oral health.
All of these approaches can be used to address issues related to tooth gaps and spacing problems, which we'd like to consider below.
Tooth Gaps Can Cause Cosmetic Issues and Health Problems
If you have gaps or majors spaces between teeth, this can lead to cosmetic issues as well as general wellness issues.
On the cosmetic side of things, tooth gaps can ruin a smile that is otherwise perfect. This is especially true when it comes to spacing issues that affect the front teeth. Gaps can make you feel self-conscious about laughing and smiling, even around people you have known for years.
Tooth gaps can also result in a number of general health problems. Little gaps between teeth can contribute to teeth grinding (bruxism) and can lead to TMJ disorders. In addition, if a gap is left behind by a missing tooth, patients may suffer from gum recession, bone loss, and even more tooth misalignment due to the missing tooth.
Thankfully there are many different treatment options available for varying degrees of tooth gaps and spacing issues.
Dental Bonding for Small Spacing Issues
If you have very minor issues with tooth gaps and spacing, the ideal option to consider is dental bonding. Dental bonding composite tooth-colored dental resin, painting directly onto a tooth to help mask imperfections and build out tooth structure. In addition to helping mask minor gaps, dental bonding is ideal for masking tooth discoloration, chips, and cracks.
Porcelain Veneers for Cosmetic Spacing Problems
For more serious tooth gaps that are still predominantly cosmetic in nature, porcelain veneers are a great option. These thin shells of dental ceramic fit over a tooth much like a mask, concealing a cosmetic imperfection from view. In addition to tooth gaps, porcelain veneers can be used to address tooth stains, chips, cracks, and issues with asymmetry.
Orthodontics Addresses Serious Tooth Misalignment
When you have serious issues with tooth misalignment that are not cosmetic in nature, the best approach is orthodontic treatment. By using braces or an alternative to braces, tension and pressure can be carefully applied to improve overall dental alignment. Orthodontic treatment is generally easier in younger patients (i.e., adolescents and teens), though adult braces and orthodontic care can yield excellent results as well.
Restorative Dentistry for Gaps Caused by Missing Teeth
If you have gaps between teeth as a result of tooth loss, there are plenty of restorative options to consider, such as a dental bridge or dentures. Some patients may be good candidates for dental implants, which serve as artificial tooth roots for various dental appliances, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. Candidacy for removable dental appliances and fixes appliances can be discussed in greater detail during your visit to the practice.
Contact Heringer Dentistry
If you have gaps between your teeth and would like to learn about various treatment options that can enhance your smile, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center. The team at Heringer Dentistry is here to help you have the healthiest smile possible.
