While they may seem like a fairly small and inconsequential imperfection, gaps between your teeth can actually be significantly detrimental for your oral health. This is because these gaps are ideal crevices for bacteria and food debris to become trapped. Since they are difficult to clean properly due to poor access for your toothbrush or floss, decay is more likely to form here, leading to plaque and eventually if left untreated, periodontal disease. All of these can put the health of your teeth and mouth at risk, and if you develop periodontal disease, tooth loss and even infection that could potentially spread to other parts of your body are very real risks.

If you have gaps between your teeth, your dentist will almost certain recommend that you consider treatment to close them and reduce your risk of decay and periodontal disease. While many people know that orthodontic braces can successfully close spaces between teeth, this doesn’t automatically make them the correct or best solution for every patient. It may also surprise you to learn that there are several, less complex treatments that may be able to help.

What dental treatments can close the gap between your teeth?

When it comes to addressing gaps between your teeth, you have a number of different options available. Which is right for you will depend on how large these gaps are and how many you have. Your budget will also play a part in determining which solution you prefer as some are much less expensive than others.

Here are some of the choices that you may wish to discuss with your dentist.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-type coverings that are placed over the outward face of your teeth, hiding the enamel beneath. Each veneer is created individually for the specific tooth that it will be applied to and can be glazed in a variety of colors to help you match it to your natural teeth.

In addition to covering cosmetic imperfections on the outer enamel of your teeth, porcelain veneers can also be designed to cover small gaps between your teeth, eliminating the problems caused by these tiny spaces. Veneers are an ideal solution for patients who only have one or two small gaps in their smile and no other alignment or bite problems, for whom a treatment such as orthodontic braces is excessive.

Orthodontic braces

Orthodontic braces have long been considered the gold-standard choice of treatment for patients with gaps between their teeth. However, the process is lengthy, time-consuming and can be expensive. The patient will also find that they will need to make a considerable number of compromises with regards to what they can eat.

If you also have an overbite, underbite or other issues with the spacing and positioning of your teeth, then orthodontic braces may be an ideal solution to resolve the gaps between your teeth.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a new, highly popular alternative to conventional braces. The treatment program uses a series of clear, plastic aligners that are placed over the teeth and apply gentle pressure to move them into the desired position. Each aligner must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day, being removed only for eating and cleaning. After a set period of time, you simply move on to the next aligner in the series, rather than visiting your dentist for an adjustment as you would with a traditional brace. Invisalign is much more discreet, making it a better choice for patients who are concerned about the appearance of their teeth while treatment is taking place.

If you have gaps between your teeth that need to be addressed, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with our dental team, who will be happy to assess your smile and recommend the best treatment for your needs