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Midline Gap
Overview
Tooth gap, or diastema, is a dental condition characterized by a gap between two teeth. The most common form is midline diastema, which affects only the front two teeth, but diastema can occur anywhere in the dental arches. Although the name sounds somewhat serious, a diastema is typically a totally harmless condition that rarely requires medical intervention.
That said, if your tooth gap bothers you for cosmetic reasons or causes you any type of physical discomfort, you’re in luck — it’s quite easy to correct.
Braces, or even less invasive dental appliances like clear aligners, are well-equipped to close gaps between the teeth in no time. With this in mind, let’s dive into the details of correcting diastema with braces and some alternative options if braces aren’t the right fit for you.
Are Braces Effective for Tooth Gap?
Braces can treat just about any teeth or jaw misalignment, tooth gap included. Even though the condition takes many forms, you can be confident that braces can get the job done. Although the type and severity of your diastema may affect your treatment price and duration.
The most common form of diastema—a gap between the two front teeth—is no problem for braces. The treatment might close that gap in just a few months. But a more severe diastema that’s caused by oversized gums, undersized or missing teeth or gum disease, the correction process may take longer or require supplemental treatments.
The good news is that even if your tooth gap is caused or accompanied by one of the conditions above, braces can still correct it. An orthodontist can incorporate dental attachments (like elastics) to correct more complicated issues.
Can Tooth Gap be Treated Without Braces?
There’s no denying that braces are effective. But they can also be pricey and pretty visible, which might have you looking for other options. Some of the alternatives can be faster, cheaper, and/or more discreet.
- Veneers: A popular alternative to dental realignment, veneers are thin but sturdy pieces of porcelain that bond to your teeth to transform your smile instantaneously.
Veneers are a common option for mild cases of diastema, and they might seem ideal, but you should understand the downsides of the process before committing. Yes, you’ll have a brand new smile when you walk out of the office and you won’t have to deal with the discomfort of physically shifting your teeth, but you should also remember that veneers don’t correct the underlying issue.
- Clear Aligners:
If you want the same teeth-moving power that braces offers but without all the metal, clear aligner is a great option. It’s effective in treating adult diastema, and can incorporate attachments to correct more complicated conditions. Clear aligners provide a series of removable transparent custom made trays that slowly shift your teeth into their new positions. Clear Aligner has shorter average treatment times (12-18 months) and they can be administered by a dentist, while braces require an orthodontist.
And the best part of all: they’re practically invisible! Rarely will anyone be able to notice them on your teeth.