Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.Monday, June 19, 2006
Gap btn. Front Teeth
Q: There's a big gap between my two front teeth. Can that be changed?
A: Having a space between two front teeth (diastema) is a very common situation. You should see a dentist to understand your options. As there are multiple situations, there is not a single answer that fits for everyone:
• No treatment - usually this is a healthy situation that needs no treatment unless there is a concern about the cosmetics
• Muscle attachment / soft tissue - at times there is an excess of soft tissue which is a mechanical blockage that prevents these 2 teeth from coming together. This can usually be solved surgically
• Bonding - if the space is not too large, and the teeth involved are in good shape, then bonding techniques can add to the width of the teeth and have a very conservative and cosmetic result
• Laminate veneers - If the spaces are irregular or excessive, or if the teeth have decay or previous restorations, then porcelain laminate veneers can resolve the situation in a dramatic fashion.
• Orthodontic treatment - There are times that the ideal treatment is to move the teeth without any type of restoration being done.
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