Resolve to Fix the Gaps in Your Teeth This Year

Did you ever notice that sometimes no matter how hard you try not to stare at things like gapped teeth, you do anyway? Now imagine being the person who is constantly being stared at. Not so great, huh? 

That scenario plays out time and time again for up to 25% of all American adults who have gapped teeth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A variety of effective cosmetic and restorative dental treatments can kick that awkward and often embarrassing picket fence look right to the curb.

Make this your year to resolve to fix the gaps in your teeth, and finally get that smile you’ve always wanted, says our own Dr. Meriem Boukadoum at 54th Street Dental. Take a moment as she explains the possible ramifications of gapped teeth and how you can capture your dream smile.

Gapped teeth and your oral health

Gapped teeth, clinically known as diastema, is a common issue. Doctors diagnose the condition if you have extra space between two or more of your teeth. Although the gap can happen anywhere, it’s much more common in the upper front teeth.

Gapped teeth is a trait that sometimes runs in the family; teeth alignment issues such as gapped teeth are passed down from one generation to the next. 

Other patients can develop gapped teeth as a result of an anomaly in the way they swallow. Under normal conditions, when you swallow, your tongue naturally presses against the roof of your mouth. But those patients who habitually press their tongue against their front teeth when they swallow may develop gapped teeth.

Addressing issues like gum disease first

Advanced gum disease is another possible cause of gapped teeth. If gum disease is left untreated, the infection can progress and break down the jawbone, loosening teeth and causing gaps. In these cases, job one is getting rid of the infection. 

Dr. Boukadoum offers periodontal treatment, which includes deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, to get the infection under control.

Cosmetic solutions like veneers

If your teeth are intact but simply have extra space in between them, cosmetic dentistry treatments like veneers or dental bonding may be great options. Both involve covering up the gap. 

With dental veneers, custom fabricated thin shells composed of tooth-colored porcelain material are adhered to the front of the teeth. Since veneers are individually made for each patient, the fit and appearance can’t be beat. The color and luminosity match your natural teeth so well that most people won’t notice any difference. 

With dental bonding, Dr. Boukadoum applies a color-matched composite resin material to your teeth to conceal the gap. Using a special light, she cures, or hardens, the material, and finishes the treatment by shaping and polishing it.

Orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign®

For larger, more dramatic gaps, Dr. Boukadoum may recommend orthodontic treatment like braces or clear orthodontic aligners like Invisalign. Through orthodontics, she slowly and gently moves your teeth closer together, closing that gap for good and ultimately helping you finally get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Bridges and implants

If the gap in your smile comes from one or more missing teeth, Dr. Boukadoum may recommend dental bridges or implants. A dental bridge is a restoration that depends on having strong, healthy teeth on each side of the gap. The healthy teeth act as anchors for the bridge, which closes the gap with custom-made artificial teeth.    

Dental implants take a page right out of nature by replacing each missing tooth with a titanium post surgically placed in your jawbone. The treatment process occurs over the course of 6-12 months. A vast majority of the time is allowing the posts to become your new tooth roots by literally healing or fusing into place. 

As in the case of veneers and bridges, your dental implant is custom made in a dental laboratory based upon impressions that Dr. Boukadoum takes. Each new tooth is topped with a custom designed crown, which looks, feels and acts like your natural tooth once did. Dental implants are the ultimate do-over for smile restorations.

If you want to welcome the new year with your best smile, resolve to fix your gapped teeth by contacting 54th Street Dental to schedule a consultation. To reach us, use the online booking tool to request an appointment or call our office in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City at 212-333-3200.