Teeth Gap Treatment

Serving Fresno, Reedley and surrounding areas

Although we all dream about having beautiful teeth with no imperfections, not many of us are lucky enough to actually have that flawless Hollywood smile. One very common dental problem many of us face is having gaps between our teeth, referred to as "diastemas" in the dental field. Unfortunately, those gaps are usually between our front teeth and not so easy to hide. But thanks to the specialized training of cosmetic dentists like Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta, there is no reason for you to suffer with the embarrassing dental problem of gaps between your teeth.

At some stages of dental development, it is completely normal to have a diastema, and the space eventually closes after the permanent canine teeth grow into the mouth. However, in some people, this gap never closes.

Most often, people have teeth gap treatment for cosmetic reasons. They may be self-conscious about having a space between their teeth. However, in some cases, a gap may actually affect your speech. When you speak, your tongue pushes forward to produce certain sounds (the "s" sound for example). This constant tongue pressure can worsen a diastema over time. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children with a gap have a dental consultation by the age of 7, although treatment for the gap may not begin until several years later.

Causes of Gaps

In some people, a gap is caused partly by lateral incisors that are undersized. In these cases, sometimes these teeth can be made wider using crowns, porcelain veneers or bonding.

A gap can also be caused by an overly large frenum (the piece of gum tissue above and between your two front teeth). If your frenum is too thick, it can impede the normal development of teeth and the natural closing of the space between the two front teeth. Sometimes the tissue must be removed in a procedure referred to as a frenectomy.

Some people may have permanent teeth that have never developed, known as congenitally missing teeth. If the later incisors never develop, the extra space can allow the front teeth to move apart and create a gap. If you are missing these teeth, there are several options for replacing teeth eventually, including implants bridgework and orthodontic treatment that moves the canine teeth into positions where the lateral incisors should be. Dr. Ikuta will discuss with you which treatment is best for you.

Treatment

The first step in treating your gap is a thorough evaluation by Dr. Ikuta. If you are ready for teeth gap treatment, he will take impressions of your teeth to make "casts," do a detailed clinical exam, take a series of dental and facial pictures, and take a full series of x-rays, including side head and panoramic views.

If your gap is the only orthodontic problem you have, the options below may be best for you:

• Full upper and lower braces
• Full upper only braces
• Partial braces on some of the upper teeth
• A removable appliance similar to a retainer

The teeth gap treatment that is best for you depends on several factors including your age and dental development. Dr. Ikuta will explain all of this to you during your consultation.

If you would like to learn more about how to fix the gap between your teeth, please contact Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta today to schedule your initial consultation. Drs. Ikuta serve cosmetic dentistry patients in Fresno, Visalia, Reedley, Clovis, and Hanford, California.