A tooth gap especially between upper front teeth known as diastemacan make your smile look unusual. It will diminish the confidence of a person to smile in front of others. It is not harmful, and it appears both in children and adults. Fortunately,dentistry has advanced a lot with several cosmetic dentistry procedures that can eliminate the extra space and give you a brand new smile In children, the gap typically closes when their permanent teeth come through. A diastema is considered to be a gap wider than 0.5 millimeters.
In adults one of the most important and commonly seen cause of diastema is due to missing posterior teeth. The teeth especially molars that are extracted should be replaced immediately. It is often noticed that diastema increases with time.
Diastemas are closed by restoration or veneer, crown. Orthodontics is recommended when gap is too large just because closing the gap with composite restoration will be too wide esthetically.
Restoration of diastema is begun by choosing appropriate shade of composite according to tooth followed by placing increments of composite resin in the gap which is then contoured to optimal proportion of tooth. These increments are light-cured. The surface characteristics of tooth are shaped with diamond bur without water irrigation and the finished by polishing.
Veneers are extremely thin pieces of porcelain that is attached to the front of your teeth. They are most ideal for smaller gaps but the only requisite is that teeth should be strong enough to receive veneer. Porcelain veneers can last for many years if you care for them well. If you brush and floss regularly, avoid foods that could stain the veneers.
When the gap is too large, best option would be orthodontic treatment. Braces have wires and brackets that put pressure on teeth and slowly move them together, which closes a gap. Invisible or removable braces may also fix some cases of diastema.
