Smile Makeover Options for Tooth Gaps

Your smile is unique! This is true if you have gaps between your teeth. Many people like their distinguished look, while others want to close the gap.

A tooth gap, or diastema, is a condition where you have a noticeable gap between teeth. It is found in both kids and adults and can be between any of your teeth. While tooth gaps don’t typically affect dental health, they can disrupt your smile and self-confidence.

If you want to change a gap between your teeth, various smile makeover options can fix a tooth gap.

Here are our top picks for smile fixes to fix tooth gaps:

• Braces – Braces are the traditional go-to option for correcting tooth gaps. Braces consist of metal wires with brackets that sit on the teeth. These brackets apply constant pressure to the teeth, forcing them into their correct position. Braces are arguably the most effective treatment for tooth gaps but may be too visually intrusive foremost people.
• Retainers – Like braces, retainers use pressure to close the gaps between teeth. However, retainers are plastic or metal casing that the dentist fits into your mouth. Patients can remove retainers but wear them for about 22 hours daily for the first few months for the best results. Most dentists recommend wearing braces first before moving to retainers.
• Clear aligners – These are a type of retainer that, as the name implies, are clear. They’re a better alternative to braces that most people find visually intrusive. They fit snugly on the teeth and pressure them into closing the tooth gap.
• Composite Bonding – Composite is a great way to fix small gaps between teeth. The treatment involves using tooth-colored composite resin to fill in the gaps between your teeth, resulting in a perfect set of teeth. This is the most affordable, least intrusive, and most straightforward way to fix tooth gaps. However, only experienced dentists can guarantee successful composite bonding for a perfect smile.
• Dental Implants – Dental implants are tooth replacements surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace your natural teeth. Some dentists recommend dental implants for severe gaps and replace the two front teeth with dental implants. Dental implants are an excellent option for closing tooth gaps but are the most expensive. Moreover, the surgery is invasive and could take three to six months to heal.
• Veneers – Veneers are custom-made caps that sit in front of the teeth to cover stains, chips, and gaps. Unlike dental implants, veneers don’t require surgery but are cemented to the front of the teeth using bonding material. Your dentist can custom-make a veneer that covers your tooth gap leaving you with a seamless smile.