Like fingerprints, each person’s smile is unique. Many differences and flaws in your teeth are healthy and can make your smile more interesting. The space between your two front teeth could be one of these. A diastema is a space between your teeth. It usually happens between your two front upper teeth, where it is called a midline or median diastema.
Some people may not like their midline diastema, but a lot of people do. When the space between your teeth hasn’t changed in a few years, it’s not usually a sign that something is wrong with your teeth. Still, a lot of people might choose to fix it for looks. If you don’t like the space between your teeth, you have several choices for fixing it.
Causes of Diastema
Diastema is common in kids under the age of 6; almost half of them will have a space between their two front teeth. Diastema usually goes away on its own by the time a child is 8 or 9, when their baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth come in. Only 7% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 still have diastema.
There are a few things that can cause a gap between your teeth that stays with you as an adult.
1. Tooth Size
Some people have gaps between their teeth because their teeth are too small for their jawbones. If your teeth are too small for the size of your mouth, you may have spaces between them.
Diastema can also happen if some teeth are missing or too small for the rest. This is especially true if your upper lateral incisors, the teeth on either side of your upper front teeth, are small.
2. Labial Frenum
There may be spaces between your teeth because of the way your mouth is built. The labial frenum is the muscle that goes from the inside of your upper lip to the gum above your upper front teeth.
When your labial frenum is too big, it can change the way your teeth are built and make a space between them.
3. Incorrect Swallowing Reflex
Some habits can also cause a space between the teeth. When you swallow right, your tongue should touch the top of your mouth.
People who don’t have the right reaction to swallow may instead press their tongue against their front teeth. When you keep putting pressure on your teeth, it can slowly pull them apart over time.
4. Oral Habits
Diastema can also be caused by habits like thumb sucking, lip sucking, tongue pushing, or other oral habits that go on for years.
5. Gum Disease
If you have diastema as an adult, it means that your teeth are moving. This could be a sign that you have gum disease. If so, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Diastema Treatment
You’re in luck if your diastema hasn’t changed and you want to fix it. There are several ways to treat a diastema. There is a gap between your two front teeth. These work to close that gap and any other gaps between your teeth.
Traditional Braces
With all the changes in orthodontics over the years, standard braces might feel like they aren’t as useful as they used to be. But they haven’t left for nothing. Orthodontists still have the most power when moving teeth with traditional metal braces. Because of this, many orthodontists like them better than more modern choices.
Traditional braces are a great way to close gaps between teeth and fix many other dental problems. If you had metal braces as a child and are thinking about getting them again, the good news is that they are much more comfortable now.
If you need to fix a few spaces between your teeth, standard braces might be the best way to change your smile.
Clear Aligners Like Invisalign
Clear aligners have become a modern option to traditional braces in the past few years. Clear aligners are braces that are made to fit your mouth and are clear. You have to wear them all the time to fix mild to serious orthodontic problems.
Invisalign is the most well-known brand of clear braces, and it can change a smile very well. Invisalign clear aligners move teeth quickly and easily because they put light pressure on the teeth all the time. Invisalign is also less obvious than traditional braces, so it might be the best choice for minor to moderate changes. Plus, dental problems can often be fixed faster with Invisalign.
How to Fix a Diastema for Adults and Kids
You can go to Dr. Motiwala if you want to fix your own diastema or if you want to help your child feel better about themselves by fixing theirs. Both kids and adults can get standard braces or Invisalign from us. We can help you decide if standard braces or clear aligners are the best way to straighten your child’s teeth.
Get in touch with us to talk about your choices and meet our helpful team. We want to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
Are You Looking For Dental Implants
Click on the links below to learn more about the approximately $50,000 savings option for Dr. Motiwala’s packages.
- Full mouth dental implants & Cost of Treatment
- Smile Makeover & Cost of Treatment
- Watch 100’s of Testimonials from our International Patients
Make An Appointment!
Please contact us if you have dental difficulties or are interested to know about dental implants and how they might improve your smile. Dr. Motiwala Dental Clinic & Implant Center may be reached at +91 99596 14584. You can also Contact Us by clicking the banner below.
