Spaces between
teeth can be corrected with bonding, porcelain laminates,
crowns, bridges and implants. Treatment will not only improve
your self-image, but it will allow people to look at your face
without being distracted by the irregularity in your smile. But
don't be surprised if people don't recognize exactly what's
different about you. Just get ready for comments
like " You look terrific! "
What causes
Gaps
?
Spaces between the teeth are most often
caused by heredity. However, they also may be caused by personal
habits such as tongue thrusting, or by abnormal tongue or
swallowing movements. Constant probing with the tongue, for
example, can push teeth apart.
The loss of
supporting bone under the gum tissue can also cause teeth to
separate. Sometimes teeth are extracted due to infection or
decay, and an unattractive space results. Loss of the back teeth
often transfers chewing activity forward, forcing the teeth to
spread.
The cause of the
space has a lot to do with how it is treated. For a patient with
gum disease, for example, the underlying problem must be
controlled before the space is corrected.
Closing
Gaps with the help of the Three Rs
There are several ways to close unsightly
gaps, depending on the cause of the space, its size, its
location and the condition of the adjacent teeth. Both cost and
your personal needs will play a significant role in your choice
of treatment. Correcting
space problems , however, usually involves one of three Rs:
Repositioning the teeth with orthodontics; Restoring the teeth
through bonding, laminating or crowning; or removal of the
teeth, followed by replacement with bridge or implant. Removal
is the ;east desirable and is used only as a last
resort.
When the teeth are attractive and healthy, repositioning is the
ideal treatment, as it involves no loss of enamel. Some
alternatives, like full crowns, require sacrificing healthy
tooth structure for cosmetic correction. However, patients
frequently prefer immediate results. In such cases, bonding or
laminating may be the answer. In other cases, a combination of
therapies offers the best results.
Solutions
for Spacing Problems
-
Orthodontics
to reposition teeth
-
Bonding
or laminating to restore teeth
-
Crowning
or " capping " to restore teeth
-
Removable
acrylic overlay
-
Bridges
to replace missing teeth
-
Implants
to replace missing
teeth
