Dental Spacing: Causes, Treatment Options, and How to Fix It

 A guy with dental spacing

Dental spacing can be seen in people around the world. Although, some see gapped teeth as a unique characteristic, others are self-conscious about how they look. There’s also the fear of developing oral problems. Luckily, treatments like clear aligners are available.

Let’s consider the causes of dental spacing, its effect on oral health, and why its correction is so important. We’ll also discuss orthodontic solutions for spacing.

What Is Dental Spacing?

A woman with a gap between front teeth
A woman with a gap between front teeth

Dental spacing (i.e. diastema) is the visible space between two or more teeth. Although this condition is most often observed between the two upper anterior teeth, it can also arise between teeth in either the maxilla or the mandible.

Recognizing Dental Spacing

  • Noticeable gaps that disrupt the uniformity of the smile.
  • Inability to bite or chew certain foods because of misalignment.
  • Air escaping through spaces between the teeth can lead to a lisp.

Impact on Oral Health and Aesthetics

Dental spacing may not appear to be a problem but it can cause:

Oral health problems: If food gets stuck in the spaces, it will cause plaque, gum inflammation, and eventually tooth decay or periodontal disease.

Functional challenges: Uneven spaces between teeth can impair chewing and cause jaw pain.

Self-confidence issues: Gapped teeth can be a source of embarrassment leading to a reluctant smile.

What Causes Dental Spacing?

Several factors can cause dental spacing. For example, genetics, oral habits, or underlying medical conditions. Learning about these causes is the first step towards deciding the best treatment.

Genetic Factors

One of the major reasons for dental spacing is your genetics. If your jaw is bigger for your teeth you will surely face dental spacing.

Childhood Habits

Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and the use of pacifiers for extended periods, in your childhood, can generate pressure on the front teeth causing them to change position.

Periodontal Disease

Gum disease causes inflammation of the soft tissues that hold your teeth in place. If left untreated, it can lead to unnecessary spacing between teeth.

Tooth Loss or Trauma

If you lose a tooth in an accident, due to decay, or an extraction but do not get it restored, the teeth surrounding the space will likely move and lead to gaps around the arch.

Why Is It Important to Treat Dental Spacing?

 A before and after image of closed gaps
A before and after image of closed gaps

Fixing dental spaces is not just about aesthetics. It’s also about maintaining oral health and bite functionality.

Prevent Oral Health Problems

Plaque accumulates very easily between the extra gaps in your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Improve Bite Alignment

Properly aligned teeth distribute the pressure of chewing evenly across the jaws. An aligned bite removes unnecessary stress on the jaw and protects the teeth from uneven wear.

Enhance Speech and Confidence

Fixing the extra gaps can correct any speech aberrations you may have, giving your confidence that boost you’ve always desired.

Treatment Options for Dental Spacing

When it comes to treating dental spaces, one size does not fit all. In fact, this is true of all dental treatments. Depending on the severity of your case and your personal preferences, there are a few ways to go about this.

Traditional Braces

A girl wearing traditional braces
A girl wearing traditional braces

Metal Braces: Effective but visible treatment for all levels of teeth spacing.

Ceramic Braces: Tooth-colored braces are a better option if you’re looking for a less conspicuous treatment.

Lingual Braces: These are discreetly placed behind the teeth but make cleaning and maintenance difficult.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are an excellent choice for mild to moderate spacing. Aligner32 clear aligners are removable and a nearly invisible way to reposition teeth over time.

Key advantages include:

  • Discreet treatment that doesn’t interfere with daily life.
  • Removability, enables us to eat normally without restrictions and to practice oral hygiene.
  • Shorter treatment duration for many cases compared to braces.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Bonding or Veneers: A quick solution for small gaps. Bonding involves filling a tooth-colored resin between the gaps. Veneers are custom-made for your situation. They are thin shells that are cemented on the front side of the teeth.

Dental Implants or Bridges: Suitable for large gaps. Dental implants involve placing a metal post and an artificial crown in place of the missing tooth. Bridges on the other hand are false teeth supported by the teeth on either side.

How Clear Aligners Work for Dental Spacing

Aligner32 clear aligners are a comfortable and inconspicuous way of treating dental spacing.

The Process of Using Clear Aligners

Initial Assessment: Start with an online assessment to check your eligibility for clear aligners.

Customized Treatment Plan: Aligner32 offers aligners that are customized to your condition using state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology.

Gradual Progression: You’ll wear each set of aligners for 10 days before moving on to the next step, to gradually close the gaps.

Final Results: Once your treatment is complete you’ll need to wear retainers to maintain your perfect smile.

Why Choose Clear Aligners?

Discreet Appearance: As the name suggests, clear aligners are almost invisible, ensuring that you can follow your treatment as discreetly as possible.

Convenience: Aligners allow for easier eating and dental hygiene since they can be removed whenever needed.

Comfort: Aligners are medical-grade plastic trays that you wear over your teeth. This makes them much more comfortable.

Aligner32: Affordable and Effective Solutions for Dental Spacing

A woman holding a clear aligner
A woman holding a clear aligner

At Aligner32 we strive to offer affordable orthodontic care to everyone without sacrificing quality.

Why Aligner32 Is the Right Choice

Cost-Effective Treatment: Aligner32 provides one of the most affordable clear aligners in the market, making it a great substitute for costly braces.

Convenience and Accessibility: Aligner32 clear aligners are a completely remote orthodontic solution.

Customized Plans: Even though very few doctor visits are needed, Aligner32 clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth.

Customer Support: Aligner32’s customer support is available to you via chat, email, and phone, offering guidance for every step of the treatment.

Tired of always worrying about your smile?

Get Aligner32 aligners to treat dental spacing from the comfort of your home.

Take the FREE ASSESSMENT

The Benefits of Addressing Dental Spacing Early On

Better Long-Term Oral Health

Reduced dental gaps decrease the risk of gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss. May it be dental issues or any other health condition, early treatment is key.

Reduced Treatment Time

Clear aligners can fix mild to moderate cases of uneven spacing in 4 to 6 months, whereas braces may require much longer.

Cost Savings

Aligner32's invisible aligners are quite economical as compared to braces because you need to wear them for a shorter period and there are very few dentist visits required.

Tips for Preventing Dental Spacing

Although certain factors of dental spacing are unavoidable, you can try the following measures to reduce its rate of formation:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Daily brushing/flossing prevents gum disease, which can cause spacing.

Address Childhood Habits: Discourage thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting early on to prevent later dental complications.

Replace Missing Teeth Promptly: If you lose a tooth, get an implant or bridge as soon as possible to prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.

Use Retainers After Treatment: Once you’re happy with the way your smile looks it is important to wear your retainers to ensure it stays that way.

Conclusion

Dental spacing is not just about cosmetics—it can also affect your oral health and bite functionality. Orthodontic solutions like clear aligners can help you achieve a healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile from the comfort of your living room.

For more information about Aligner32 Clear Aligners call us at (888) 861-1884

FAQs

1. Can we use clear aligners to fix dental spacing?

Yes, clear aligners are a good option for treating dental spaces. They apply gentle pressure to move your teeth into the required position.

2. How long does it take for clear aligners to close gaps between teeth?

The length of your treatment depends on the severity of your case. However, patients with mild to moderate spacing see results in 4 to 6 months with Aligner32 clear aligners.

3. Do gaps between teeth cause any discomfort?

Although gaps may not cause discomfort to everyone, they can cause oral health problems, including plaque formation and gum irritation. Over time these can lead to cavities or periodontal disease.

4. Is dental spacing hereditary?

Yes, dental spacing can be hereditary. If you see several people in your family with exaggerated gaps in their teeth, you may develop them too.

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  • Mei Lin

    Mei Lin

    Content Contributor

    Renowned as an orthodontic trailblazer, Mei Lin is a distinguished expert contributing her expertise to ALIGNER32. With a career dedicated to advancing orthodontic solutions, Lin's blogs explore the unique nuances of teeth alignment. As a trusted authority, she sheds light on how ALIGNER32 aligners cater to diverse dental needs, making... Read More

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