Ann Arbor Diastema Treatment Options
While celebrities like Anna Paquin and Laurence Fishburne are making their diastema, gap between teeth, work for them, this cosmetic flaw can be indicative of bigger oral health problems. If you want to close the gap between your teeth, call the trusted Ann Arbor dentist, Diana H. Cocco, DDS, and her dental caring team to schedule a treatment consultation today. We’ll examine your smile, review your treatment options, answer any questions you may have, and partner with you to create a plan to deliver a flawless, evenly spaced smile. We look forward to helping you get the gorgeous, healthy smile you deserve.
What is Diastema?
Diastema is the scientific name for gaps between teeth. The majority of people see gaps between their upper front two teeth. However, diastema can occur between any top or bottom teeth. While it is often just a harmless cosmetic irregularity, diastema may also lead to serious oral health concerns that need to be addressed.
How Does Diastema Affect Overall Oral Health?
Anytime teeth aren’t properly aligned, the surrounding teeth receive additional pressure during chewing that can lead to increased risk for chips, cracks, and dental wear. Additionally, surrounding teeth may shift to fill in the space, causing the bite to become more severely misaligned. In order to ensure optimal oral health, diastema should be treated by a dental professional.
Treatment Options
For many patients, a simple, cosmetic solution will close the gap between teeth and perfect the smile. For others, more advanced orthodontic treatments are recommended. The following are some of the treatment options available for patients with diastema:
- Cosmetic bonding – using tooth-colored composite resin, we can fill in gaps between teeth creating a more evenly spaced smile. This bonding material is not as strong as porcelain and may not be an option for patients with larger smile gaps.
- Porcelain veneers – these porcelain restorations can be used to conceal gaps between teeth as well as other cosmetic flaws. For patients whose gaps are too large for cosmetic bonding to be effective or who want a more durable solution, veneers may be a better option.
- Dental Crowns – for larger gaps between teeth, we may recommend placing dental crowns over the teeth on either side of the gap. Dental crowns are used most often to close gaps between back teeth that receive the bulk of pressure during chewing.
- Orthodontics – for patients whose diastema is causing bite alignment concerns, orthodontic treatment using traditional braces, oral appliances, or other options may be recommended to ensure optimal form and function.